Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
New! As of August 1 the ESTA website is live: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure will require, as of January 12, 2009, an approved ESTA prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.
An approved ESTA travel authorization is:
- valid for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
- valid for multiple entries into the U.S.; and
- not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP. In all cases, CBP officers make admissibility determinations at our ports of entry.
Please find the details at the Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
You can also watch a video that answers typical questions about ESTA.
