Travelling to the US?

You may be eligible for a United States electronic visa, a US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) for travel to the US.  The online US ESTA form takes only minutes to complete and your US ESTA request will be processed within 72 hours.

Anyone holding a passport from one of the countries listed can apply for an ESTA to the US.

The Fastest and Easiest Way to Get a US ESTA

1. With VisasDirect, you can apply anytime and you will receive an email from VisasDirect notifying you once your ESTA has been issued.
2. ESTA's can take up to 72 hours to be authorised by the US Dept. of Homeland Security. 

   You must apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before travel.

3. Once an ESTA is issued it is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, (whichever is sooner) and will allow multiple entries into the US.

Important Requirements For ESTA Applicants

• If you are a US Citizen and hold dual nationality with a Visa Waiver Program country you are not required to have an ESTA. You must use your US passport to travel to the USA.
• Please note: following recent changes under the Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, nationals of VWP countries who have visited: Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen on or after March, 2011 are no longer eligible to apply for an ESTA.
• Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen are not eligible for an ESTA.
• As of April 1, 2016, to qualify for an ESTA you must have a passport containing an integrated chip and display the universal e-passport symbol on the front cover (as shown below).

When travelling on an ESTA you must:

• Hold a Return/Onward ticket with a major Airline/Cruise company that is registered for ESTA’s
• Not be staying for more than (up to a maximum of) 90 days including Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean Islands
• Have not had any previous violations of the USA Immigration Law (i.e. overstaying the 90 day period)

Important Passport Requirements For ESTA Applicants

• To qualify for the ESTA you must have a machine readable passport.
• If your passport was issued on or after 26^th October 2005 it must: have a digitally applied photograph.
• If your passport was issued on or after 26th October 2006 it must: be a biometric passport. Your passport will need to have an integrated chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page. Australian passports issued in the Australia meet this criterion; for Australian passports issued in other countries please check with that location. Other nationalities should check with their passport office.
• A passport indicating that the bearer is an Australian does not qualify for travel without a visa. An ESTA or visa must be applied for.
• Citizens of the following countries: Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Republic of Korea & Slovakia may travel under the USA Visa Waiver Program if they meet all of the following requirements: Obtained travel authorisation under ESTA prior to boarding the air or sea carrier and have a valid e-passport with an electronic chip.

Benefits of Using VisasDirect

• Live Assistance. If you have questions regarding your application a VisasDirect specialist is available to help via phone or email.
• Automated System Updates. If your application for an ESTA is not instantly approved our systems will automatically check for approval on the traveler’s behalf and notify the traveler when approval has been issued.  
• Immediate Email Comfirmation.  VisasDirect will automatically email travelers who receive immediate confirmation with the reference number via email that is saved for future reference. This keeps a secure electronic record of all personal information with the ESTA.

VisasDirect is not part of the US government. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues decisions for all ESTA applications. You can apply for an ESTA directly through the DHS website, however you will not benefit from the VisasDirect services listed above.

1. Not from an eligible country? 
   
   Travellers holding a passport from all other countries must apply directly to the US Embassy for a visa to enter the United States.
   For information regarding both non-immigrant and immigrant U.S. visas, please visit the U.S. Embassy website