If you take a look at the ESTA visa waiver program, you’re going to like what you see. It makes travelling to the US seem so simple, and that certainly sounds like a plan. Who wants the hassle of a visa application and interview if they are avoidable? Instead of having to deal with such a stressful situation, maybe you are about to find out that you can easily apply with ESTA.
First, what country are you from? The official ESTA site has a list that is comprised of many countries whose citizens are eligible for the electronic system for travel authorization. This system is automated, and that makes everything even more simpler.
Second, how long do you plan to stay in the US? If your answer is longer than 3 months, then the ESTA isn’t going to apply to your situation. Yet if you are going to be travelling for less than 3 months, you are cleared on this factor, too, in relation to applying with ESTA. So far, so good, so let’s talk about the one other factor that ESTA makes clear.
It is about criminal records and immigration issues. Those have to be disclosed of course, and they can hinder people’s chances of qualifying with ESTA. Yet don’t get discouraged because it is just one of the factors that has to be considered. You want to fill out your application completely and honestly, and based on the 3 factors above, let the chips fall where they may.
One thing about ESTA is it is a simple process. You know the answer to the first two questions, and based on the information you provide, you are going to have an answer shortly. I hope you are able to get approved with the ESTA visa waiver program so that you can have a great time travelling to the US.
Once you are approved, you have a two year window where you can continue to return for short trips to the US without having to worry about reapplying with ESTA. After the two years is up, however, you will have to reapply. You have the full two year window, as long as your passport doesn’t expire in the meantime. Be sure to keep track of your passport and when it expires based on that information. Otherwise, you are good to go, or you will soon be good to go, after you apply with ESTA online: https://estavisa.gr/