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How to fill out the ESTA application
If you want to travel to the United States without a visa, you must apply online for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). We provide important tips and help you fill out the ESTA application form.
- National Identity Number: ESTA puzzle solved
- ESTA: Fill in the national identity number as an alternative
- Multiple first names in the ESTA application
- Dual citizenship in the ESTA application
- Number of travelers in the ESTA application
- Employer details in the ESTA application
- Social media details in the ESTA application
- Contact details for emergencies
- Travel information in the ESTA application
- US contact person in the ESTA application
- Contact details of the first accommodation in the USA
- Answering the ESTA security questions
- Payment details for the ESTA application
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As part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), ESTA allows travelers to stay in the United States for up to 90 days at a time for business or tourism purposes.
The electronic ESTA authorization must be applied for online prior to departure. Despite the general instructions and FAQs on the official ESTA page of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, many travelers end up contacting the USA experts at esta-application.com with their questions about completing the ESTA application.
In addition to various additional ESTA services such as a money-back guarantee, deadline and appointment reminders, and multilingual customer support, The ESTA service team also offers a 24-hour hotline where all your ESTA questions can be answered quickly.
In this article, we address the most frequently asked questions.
Attention
All fields on the electronic ESTA application must be completed in order to avoid rejection. For example, if your parents' names are not available, you can answer "UNKNOWN."
National Identity Number: ESTA puzzle solved
When you fill out the ESTA application, you will be asked for your National Identity Number. However, the names and formats of these numbers vary widely from country to country, and some countries do not have a National Identity Number at all.
The most common names for National Identity Numbers are:
- Personal identification number
- National Identification Number
- National Insurance Number
- National Identification Number
- NIN
- JMBG
- Social security number
- Personal identification number
The National Identity Number is required not only for general administrative purposes, but also when applying for ESTA authorization to enter the United States.
ESTA: Fill in the national identity number as an alternative
Some countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, do not require a National Identity Number. The official U.S. Customs and Border Protection ESTA website states
"Enter the number of your identity document (not a passport) issued by your country."
If you do not have a national identification number, you must enter the serial number of your ID card when completing the ESTA application. The serial number is located in the machine-readable section of your ID card, in the upper right-hand corner of the front of the card.
Multiple first names in the ESTA application
When completing the ESTA form, it is important that you enter ALL names exactly as they appear on your passport, including your second or middle name. The information you enter on the ESTA application must match the information on your passport exactly.
Dual citizenship in the ESTA application
If you have dual citizenship, you must indicate this in your ESTA application, even if you do not have a valid second passport (in this case, you can type "UNKNOWN" in the passport number field).
Number of travelers in the ESTA application
Once you have successfully created an ESTA account, enter the number of people traveling together. You can submit an ESTA group application for up to 50 people. After entering the number of travelers, enter the required information for each applicant individually. Request digital copies of your travelers' passports so you can upload them during the application process.
Employer details in the ESTA application
If you answered "Yes" to the question about your current employment, please enter the name of your employer or company. If you are self-employed, a student, or a stay-at-home parent, you can list these activities instead of your employer. Alternatively, you may enter any other description of your current or former employment status.
Social media details in the ESTA application
If you have profiles on social media platforms, enter the ID, username and/or profile name for each platform. Passwords are not required! If you do not use social media, you can answer "No" to this question.
Providing your own social media profiles is voluntary, but highly recommended. The goal of the US government is to identify potential risks and ensure national security. Take this opportunity to review your privacy settings on all platforms.
Contact details for emergencies
In the ESTA form, enter the details of a person who can be contacted in an emergency during your stay in the USA. This could be a family member, friend, or business partner, for example.
Travel information in the ESTA application
The amount of travel information required for the ESTA application depends on whether the US is your final destination or if you are only in transit to another country and are not leaving the airport.
Tip
Although omitting travel information from the Transit ESTA saves a little time, you should still apply for a full ESTA. The reason is that an ESTA is valid for two years and may allow you to travel to the US again.
US contact person in the ESTA application
You will be asked for your US contact person in the ESTA application. The following details are possible:
- a friend
- a relative
- a business partner
- the contact details of your first accommodation
Contact details of the first accommodation in the USA
The ESTA applicant's first place of residence contact information includes the name, address, and phone number of the place where you will be staying after you arrive in the United States. This may be your first hotel, your private host, or even a shipping or railroad company you are traveling with.
Answering the ESTA security questions
The ESTA security questions are used to assess the suitability and potential risks of individuals seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. It is important to answer the questions honestly and provide accurate information about criminal history, travel history, and possible difficult-to-treat infectious diseases.
It is strongly discouraged to provide false information in the security questions on the ESTA application. Failure to do so may result in criminal prosecution and permanent inadmissibility. If you do not qualify for the ESTA process, it is advisable to apply for a US visa rather than risk the serious consequences of providing false information on the ESTA application.
Payment details for the ESTA application
After you have reviewed and submitted your application, you will be asked to pay the ESTA processing fee. You can make the payment on the official U.S. Department of Homeland Security application page using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
If you prefer a more convenient option with more payment methods, you can submit your application through a recognized ESTA agency, such as ESTA-online.org. You can pay for your ESTA application by credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Sofort, and also benefit from other advantages:
- Simplified application form
- Real-time advice via live chat or phone
- Application review and correction by ESTA experts
- Money-back guarantee in the rare event of rejection
Once payment has been received, you will be emailed an ESTA Application Confirmation with your unique application number. You can now check your ESTA status at any time by logging into your ESTA account.
