Is a third-party site reliable for ESTA application?

VWP is an ambitious program of US Government. It was started in 1986 and today a total of 50 countries are participating in the program. Travelers from these countries have to apply for visa but travelers coming for short term can get quick visa through electronic system.

What VWP?

In short, it is a visa program that waives required for regular visa for short travels like business and leisure. Short travel is defined as stay extending not more than 90 days. Travelers from VWP countries have to fill ESTA application for approval. It is a prescreening process and first step for approval. Electronic visa is cleared within a minute and the traveler is allowed to take permission of US Customs and Border Protection officials.

Why electronic visa?

VWP waives requirement of regular visa but there is no leniency is the screening process. US officials want to make sure that no traveler that poses any king of security threat enters the US territory. Electronic system was started in June 3, 2008 with an objective to prescreen the visa applications. US Government has a large database of travelers. Applications for VWP are prescreened electronically to ease burden of US security officials and also to make US travel more convenient for visitors.

How the electronic application is filled?

For ESTA visa apply travelers have to visit website of US Government. Application is available online and also a meager sum is charged for prescreening. Applicants have to pay $14 for every application but third-party sites charge more than $14. Travelers can apply for electronic visa from third-party sites on their own risk.

Every traveler has to file individual application even when the applicant is a minor. Families traveling with kids have to apply for kids as their application can’t be included in parents’ application. Also precautions have to be taken while entering important details like passport number as corrections aren’t allowed. Travelers are advised to go through details of VWP and electronic authorization before filling USA visa application.

Should a traveler use third-party site for applying for electronic visa?

US Government has application for electronic visa on its website and it charges $14 for prescreening. Third-party sites add their service charge to the application fee. Travelers are free to send their application for ESTA visa USA from government site or from third-party platforms.But travelers have to be careful when using third-party electronic visa services.

Things you should know before you apply for ESTA USA visa

Not everyone traveling to US is eligible for exclusive ESTA visa that is electronic visa. It is only travelers from member countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program of US that are allowed to apply for electronic visa. Also the visa is available only for short stay that must be more than 90 days.

Understanding VWP

Visa Waiver Program is a special visa program created to facilitate US travel in 1986 and other nations are invited to join the program. UK became the first nation to join the VWP program followed by Japan and France. In August 2008, US government further eased visa rules for the travelers. A new electronic system called USA ESTA visa was created to provide visa under VWP.

The new electronic visa system

It is actually a prescreening of the travelers and its objective is to help travelers and the US authorities. When a traveler files for ESTA visa, he is provided a number that he needs carrying along with his travel documents. The US authorities screen the traveler from his ESTA number and allow him to enter the US only when the traveler is found to be a friend of the US. But the authorities could deny entry, if they find the traveler suspicious.

How this system works?

It is an online system and there is no way that online esta application are accepted physically. One has to be careful when entering details in the application as a wrong entry could be a reason for application turning down by the authorities. Also the applicants have to pay a small fee for ESTA visa for USA. The fee is $14 and it is paid online. As soon as the application is accepted, it is scrutinized and visa is granted within an hour.

What if the ESTA application is turned down?

When an application is turned down, the applicant can approach the embassy for a regular visa. Here it is necessary to mention that ESTA is only a prescreening and not a visa and turning down of ESTA application isn’t end to the road. But there are little chances of US authorities turning down an ESTA application, if the applicant is fulfilling all the conditions.

How to apply for ESTA visa?

Go to US government website to apply for ESTA Visa USA or you can also take help of a third-party website to get electronic visa. If you are taking help of a third-party site then be careful as it could be a fraudster.

For More info about ESTA Visa USA please visit on related article http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/travel/simplifying-the-esta-process-for-us-travel-visa.html