What is the ESTA program?
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program is a United States government program that determines the eligibility of non-U.S. citizens from visa-waiver countries to travel to the United States. ESTA is designed to pre-screen passengers before they board airplanes or vessels heading for the United States. The program was created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2009 as part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). In order for a student to apply for an ESTA, they must first be a citizen of a visa-waiver country. Currently, the United States accepts citizens from 38 countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan, participating in the VWP. To apply for an ESTA, students must complete an online application, which usually takes around 10 minutes. Students must provide information such as name, passport details, travel plans, and any related criminal history in the application. Once the application has been submitted, the student will receive a response within 72 hours. If a student is approved for an ESTA, it is valid for two years or until the expiration date of their passport, whichever comes first. It is important to note that an ESTA does not guarantee admission to the United States—it only grants travelers Authority to board a vessel or aircraft headed for the United States. At the border, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may subsequently deny the traveler entry.
THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.El Programa ESTA es un sistema electrónico de autorización de viaje que facilita la entrada de los ciudadanos de países que participan en el Programa de Exención de Visa a Estados Unidos. El Programa de Exención de Visa es una iniciativa conjunta entre el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) y el Departamento de Estado (DOS) que permite a los ciudadanos de países designados viajar a Estados Unidos sin una visa de turista clásica. Esto significa que los estudiantes que viajan desde uno de los países participantes pueden obtener una autorización de viaje electrónica (Esta) en lugar de solicitar una visa de turista clásica. La ESTA es una autorización válida por dos años o hasta que el pasaporte caduque, lo que ocurra primero. Si el estudiante desea viajar a Estados Unidos después de los dos años iniciales, deberá solicitar una nueva autorización de viaje. La Solicitud de Autorización de Viaje Electrónica (ESTA) es un paso importante para verificar que los viajeros cumplen con los requisitos de entrada. El proceso de alistamiento puede tomar varios días, por lo que se recomienda a los viajeros que soliciten ESTA con dos semanas de anticipación antes de su viaje.
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