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Can British citizens apply for ESTA?
US Visa for British Citizens can apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) visa waiver for travel to the United States. ESTA allows citizens of Great Britain to travel to the United States without a visa for travel, business, transit, medical, and short-term study purposes for up to 90 days per visit. However, security measures, intended to counter the threat of terrorism, have created pre-testing requirements for travelers arriving in the United States.
What is ESTA?
ESTA was established in 2009 to facilitate the processing of visa waiver applicants and to provide US Customs and Border Protection, as well as the Homeland Security Department (DHS) with the ability to pre-screen travelers against numerous no-fly. , Criminal, and Terrorist List Database. Thus, since 2009 British citizens have to obtain an approved ESTA application to enter the United States. However, if for example a British citizen is denied or ineligible for ESTA, or wants to travel to the United States for more than 90 days or for another trip approved under ESTA, then the British passport holder must apply for the relevant US visa.
What is the difference between an ESTA and a US visa?
An approved ESTA application does not grant a British citizen the same rights as a US visa holder. A U.S. visa applicant must file a more comprehensive application called DS-160 and attend an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy. In addition, depending on the type of visa, applicants may need to provide additional documents to prove the veracity of their US travel plans and intentions before entering the country.
What are the requirements of ESTA for British citizens?
The ESTA requirement is that the applicant has an electronic, fully British citizen passport with a machine-readable section. In addition, travel to the United States must be for a less than 90-day permitted business, tourist, or transit visit, and the applicant must arrive by air or sea. Applicants can review the detailed ESTA requirements before starting their application and visit the ESTA FAQ for more information.
Are British citizens eligible for ESTA?
Travelers with British Subject, British Dependent Territory Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) Citizen, or British Protected Person passport are not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program or ESTA. Similarly, a passport that grants a person the “right to live in the UK” or “leave indefinitely” does not qualify as a traveler under the Visa Waiver Program or ESTA. So, these travelers need to apply for a US visa.
Convenience for Spanish citizens to apply for ESTA
US Visa for Spanish Citizens is eligible to apply for an ESTA, which saves them time and money compared to a US visa. ESTA is a short online form that applicants can complete in less than 20 minutes and usually receive a response within 24 hours. Applicants are advised to apply at least 72 hours prior to travel to the United States so that any delays can be considered.
Another great benefit for Spanish citizens by applying for an ESTA is that it is valid for two years and during that time they are able to use it to travel to the United States as many times as they wish. The only limitation is that they will not exceed the 90-day limit.
Another advantage of using an ESTA instead of a visa is that the application fee is significantly lower than applying for a visa. When an ESTA application is completed online, one has to go to the US Embassy for an interview for a visa.
How Spanish citizens can apply for ESTA
To apply for an ESTA, Spanish citizens need a biometric passport, a valid email address, and a way to pay their application fee. While filling the questions in the online form, the applicant has to complete the details from their passport. Other questions include name, address, DOB, as well as some health-related questions and convictions.
The Department of Homeland Security screens each applicant to determine if it is considered a security risk, and then a decision will be made. The applicant will receive an email informing them of the decision. If ESTA is approved, it will link to the passport electronically.
