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Why does the ESTA Application require Employer Information?

Updated: Aug 24, 2023 | Tags: ESTA Application, ESTA Employment Information

Introduction Employment information is used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to help determine if ESTA applicants are intending to illegally enter the United States to become economic migrants. The specific section related to this law is in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act Section 214b. ESTA applicants are required to provide employment information…

Visa Waiver Program Arrivals Statistics Between 2014 and 2018

Updated: Jun 14, 2020 | Tags: ESTA Arrivals Statistics, Visa Waiver Program

Introduction The U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) arrivals statistics by country of citizenship from 2014 to 2018 have been analyzed and consolidated in this article. These statistics are released on an annual basis by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the results for 2019 are still being processed. This article will share some of the findings discovered on meaningful results…

Terrorist Travel Prevention Act Impacts on the Visa Waiver Program

Updated: Aug 25, 2023 | Tags: Visa Waiver Program, ESTA Eligibility

Introduction In January 2016, the U.S. government started to implement changes to the Visa Waiver Program through the Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of the previous year. This act aims to exclude citizens of countries deemed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be state sponsors of terrorism, including people from Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Sudan…

Questions and Answers on Permitted Business Activities under the Visa Waiver Program

Updated: Aug 25, 2023 | Tags: ESTA for Business, ESTA Requirements

This article covers a range of questions and answers on how an ESTA can be used for conducting business related activities in the U.S. while traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). We received a number of the following questions in response to the information on using an ESTA…

What are the categories of U.S. visas and visa waivers?

Updated: Sep 05, 2023 | Tags: USA Visa Requirements, ESTA Requirements, ESTA Eligibility

Introduction Foreign nationals visiting the United States will need to either obtain a U.S. visa or a visa waiver. The visa application process usually involves submitting a form and passport-style photograph online, paying a non-refundable fee as well as attending an embassy appointment for applicants aged between 14 and 79. The visa waiver application process is conducted entirely online…

What is the experience of traveling on an ESTA?

Updated: Nov 01, 2022 | Tags: ESTA Experience, ESTA Application

Introduction The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) provides travelers with the option to travel visa-free to the United States using a streamlined and automated process. An ESTA can be used by travelers arriving to America by land, air or by sea. It permits stays of up to 90 days and is issued for a period of two years, or the date of passport expiry. An alternative form…

Imminent Senate Vote on passing Brand USA bill to encourage US Travel

Updated: Nov 22, 2019 | Tags: ESTA Fee, ESTA

Introduction Brand USA, which is a marketing organization that is funded by the ESTA, sees a way forward with passing a senate bill to extend its funding over the next few years. Brand USA is a mixed public/private organization that acts as the travel marketing arm of the United States. It has been involved in an ongoing struggle to prove that it plays a vital role in travel to the United…

Polish Passport Holders can now apply for ESTA

Updated: Nov 11, 2019 | Tags: Visa Waiver Program, ESTA Eligibility, ESTA Requirements

Introduction On November 6th 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Polish passport holders will be able to apply for ESTA starting today, November 11th 2019. Poland will be the first country admitted to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) since 2014, when Chile was admitted. Poland will be the 39th…

ESTA for Transit Purposes

Updated: Feb 02, 2023 | Tags: ESTA for Transit, ESTA Requirements

Introduction Transiting through the U.S. can be beneficial to travelers looking to book more convenient or lower cost airfare on route to their final destination. Travelers from one of the Visa Waiver Program countries can use an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for such transit purposes. If an ESTA transit application…

Applying for an ESTA with a Criminal Record

Updated: Nov 01, 2022 | Tags: ESTA with Criminal Record, Visa with Criminal Record, ESTA Requirements

Can you get an ESTA with previous criminal arrests or convictions? Applying for an ESTA with a Criminal Record …