ESTA Application Online - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Privacy Policy

1) About this website

This website is operated by a private company not associated with any governments, and all services associated with this domain are provided by our company. All services and information provided by our company is for the purpose of assisting travellers applying for E-Visas (electronic travel authorisations) in order to visit a number of countries. When you visit our website for the purposes of sourcing information regarding E-Visas or American visas you automatically consent to the terms of our Privacy Policy.

2) The information we collect

Only information provided by you on a voluntary basis when you complete the application form is collected by our company. We require this information as it is necessary in order to process your E-Visa. The information you provide will only be used in order to process your application. Our company will not use it for any other purposes unless legally required to do so. Your information will be deleted from our database six months after processing has been concluded.

Under certain circumstances, you may be required to agree explicitly in order to allow specified items of data to be processed. If such processing is required, you will be informed by our company, and we will request your consent. You consent to the data processing immediately upon pressing the appropriate button or making the appropriate mark on the form.

We utilize a web analysis tool in order to improve our services, optimize the site, and better understand the actions of users when visiting the site. Data we collect using this tool includes any visitors' type of browser, screen resolution, time of visit, referring site and other non-identifying data. Under certain circumstances, we may transmit this data to third parties in other countries for the purposes of evaluation. When you use our website, you automatically consent to all such collecting, processing, and transmission of this data.

3) Removing your personal information after submitting it to this site

You are able to request in writing that we remove any information provided as part of an E-Visa application at any time by contacting our customer service department at info@estausa.org. If you do send such a request, your personal information will immediately be deleted. Additionally, your email message (including both content and contact information) is automatically deleted after 90 days. Should you wish to have an email message deleted earlier than the 90 day period, you need to send us a request to do so via email and we will fulfil your request immediately on receipt of your email.

4) Sharing of information

The only time we might share your information is if we are legally required to provide some user information or individual access information related to law enforcement agency, court of law, or other government agency in response to their request, subpoena, or court order.

We do not share your information for any marketing or other purpose.

5) Links to external domains

On our site we provide links to sites other than our own solely for the purpose of providing visitors with additional information on our services, or introduce them to sites we recommend. The fact that we provide these links, however, does not mean that we approve of or endorse the content, services or products offered by those sites. Should you follow the links, we cannot be held liable for any way you may utilise those sites, or for any content they include. When visiting the site of any third party provider, we strongly recommend you read their terms and conditions thoroughly.

In some instances, visitors may arrive at our site via a link provided by a third party. In this instance, we cannot be held liable for the way the other site is utilised or for its content. We recommend you read the site’s terms and conditions thoroughly. Any third party sites with links to estausa.com are not offered by us, and are not within the control of our company. In instances where we do link to third-party sites, we make every attempt to ensure that those sites are not in violation of any legal requirements. However, it is not possible to conduct continual or permanent reviews of the status of such sites, and it would be unreasonable to expect us to do so. Any links we allow are with sites we cannot detect to have been in violation of any legal requirements. Should we detect such violations, all measures would be taken immediately in order to remedy the situation.

6) Site security

We only use HTTP over SSL – Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS) – in order to ensure the highest possible security for our site. This allows our visitors to securely enter personal information and make credit card payments. Should you come across a site that displays only HTTP rather than HTTPS in the address section of your browser, we highly recommend that you do not enter in any credit card details or personal information on that site. Our site adheres to the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), an industry standard for businesses that accept online payments via credit card. Every month, we scan our databases and systems and our website in order to maintain compliance with PCI DSS.

7) Changes to these policies

Changes to this Privacy Policy and its content may change at any time when circumstances require. The date any changes were made will be visible to visitors on the Privacy Policy page.

8) The Directive on ePrivacy

We adhere to Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July, 2002, which outlines the requirements for Internet Service Providers regarding customer privacy protection and the manner in which all personal data is processed.

Updated: 9 May 2017

 

Refund Policy

1) Your right to withdraw

You can request a refund if you do not find either our product or the service we provide to be satisfactory. Under the terms of our refund policy, you are able to withdraw from your contract whenever you want. In order to exercise this right, you must email our customer service team at billing@estausa.org, formally informing us in writing that you have the intention of withdrawing from the contract.

2) The result of withdrawal

Should you choose to withdraw from this contract, you will be reimbursed for all payments made. Your payments will be reimbursed using the same mode of payment by which you first made a payment.

All transactions are conducted in United States dollars. Your refund will be issued in US dollars and posted within two working days of your written request for withdrawal from your contract. Once you have received the payment, your bank or credit card company may convert it to your local currency. You will receive the same USD $ amount as charged in return.

If your payment was done via credit card, we will issue your refund to the same credit card used in the initial transaction. No refunds can be made by money order, cheque or cash. There is no charge to request a cancellation request.

3) Withdrawal information

When sending your written request for withdrawal from the contract by email to billing@estausa.org, you must include the following details:

• The reason you are requesting the refund
• Your order number (contained in the email message you received confirming your order)
• The last four digits of the credit or debit card you used to pay for your order
• Your name, as it originally appeared in the billing information provided

4) Addendum

We are a private company, and have no affiliation or connection with any government. If your electronic travel authorisation (E-Visa) is declined when we apply for it on your behalf, we are liable for the financial responsibility. Exclusive and final discretion to grant or refuse admission to your country of destination lies with the customs officer at your port of entry.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding our Refund Policy, please email us at: billing@estausa.org

 

 

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESTA?

ESTA is the acronym for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization: an online program administered by Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security to prescreen travelers planning travel of 90 days or less to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program to ensure they do not pose a security or law enforcement risk.
ESTA was implemented on August 1, 2008, to boost the security of the VWP, and has been mandatory for all Visa Waiver Program travelers since January 12, 2009.

How do I apply?

Our website provides simple instructions to make an ESTA application; just answer the questions in our application form.
In order to complete an ESTA application, you will need your passport information; any other names you use; your visa admissions history for the United States; your parents' names; your city of birth; any national identification number you may have; your contact information; your history of communicable disease, if any; your criminal history, if any; and a credit card number.

What does an ESTA authorization do?

An ESTA authorization qualifies you for travel under the Visa Waiver Program, but it does not necessarily mean you will be admitted to the United States. Admission to the United States is based on inspection by a Customs and Border Protection officer once you disembark in the United States, and is at their discretion.

Who is eligible to make an ESTA application?

You are eligible to apply for ESTA if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country planning to enter the United States by air or sea, on an approved carrier.
The Visa Waiver Program countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Each traveler must have a valid passport and a round-trip ticket, with their trip ending outside the United States. Each traveler must apply, including minor children under 18, and meet all eligibility conditions of the Visa Waiver Program.

Do I need to apply for ESTA if I am a VWP country citizen and...?

...am also a lawful permanent resident of the United States?
No

...am also a dual citizen with US citizenship?
No - citizens must use their American passport when entering the United States.

...am also a landed immigrant of Canada, and traveling to the United States by land?
No

...am also a landed immigrant of Canada, and traveling to the United States by sea or air?
Yes

...am also a lawful permanent resident of the United States?
If you are flying under your VWP passport and using the VWP, yes. If you are traveling under your non-VWP passport and a visa, you are not eligible for the ESTA.

...have a valid visa at the time of travel?
No

...am traveling to the United States by land via Canada or Mexico, under a green I-94 card?
No

...am traveling to the United States by sea or air via Canada or Mexico?
Yes

...am transiting through the United States only, and not staying there?
Yes

...am a minor under the age of 18 traveling under the VWP?
Yes

...am traveling for a short-term stay to the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico?
Yes

When should I submit my ESTA application?

It is recommended to make your application as soon as you decide to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, but one can apply up to 72 hours before travel. There is no need to wait until your itinerary is confirmed: You do not need concrete travel information or accommodations to apply.
There is no penalty if you apply early and your ESTA expires while you are still in the United States: You can still depart for your country of origin as planned.

Does ESTA allow group applications?

It is easy to group your applications: After submitting your application, select the option to submit a new application on the thank-you page and fill out the new application for the next applicant.

Can I correct errors in my ESTA application information?

Only certain errors in ESTA applications can be corrected: your email address, your phone number, and your travel information. In the case of an error in passport-related information, you must cancel and reapply, so it is best to be precise when filling out the application form.

What is the validity period of an ESTA application?

An ESTA authorization is valid until your passport expires or for two years from the date when you are approved to travel, whichever date is earlier.

What if my ESTA authorization is not approved?

If your application is denied, you can still travel to the United States under a visa program. Apply through your closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for details.

Is an ESTA authorization valid for multiple trips to the United States?

A valid ESTA authorization permits you unlimited entries into the United States.

Do I need to reapply if I acquired my ESTA authorization before additional information was required in 2014?

No; all current ESTA authorizations are still valid. You will only be required to supply the additional information if you reapply when that current authorization expires.

What is the response time on an ESTA application?

In most cases, ESTA results are available almost instantly, and you will receive our email informing you of the status inside 24 hours. However, it can take up to 72 hours to receive a status determination and email it to your inbox.

If I forget my application number, what do I do?

Just send an application through our Verify/Check ESTA Status page, and your ESTA number will be sent to the email address associated with your application.

Can one person make an ESTA application for another? Can I apply for friends or relatives, or have them apply for me?

ESTA permits third-party applications, but the person traveling is ultimately responsible for the truthfulness and completeness of any information provided on the ESTA application.

When traveling to the United States, what ESTA documents should I bring?

On the day of travel, print out the PDF with your ESTA number and carry it with your other travel documents. While United States border officials can electronically access your ESTA approval, your airline or carrier may require the printout at check-in.

When should I reapply for a new ESTA authorization?

You should submit a new application if your ESTA authorization expires and you wish to travel to the United States. Unfortunately, ESTA authorizations cannot be directly renewed at this time. Otherwise, apply for a new ESTA authorization if you:

• Change your name for any reason;
• Receive a new passport;
• Change your gender;
• Change your country of citizenship;
• Experience a change in your situation as it applies to your ESTA authorization, whether that is legal or medical.

 

Policy Regarding Cookies

1) What Cookies Are

A cookie is a text file which a web site saves on a user's computer after the user visits the site. The cookie is stored by the user's browser in a location reserved for cookies.

A cookie saves information about the user's visit to the web site. This information can include the user's preferences regarding web site appearance and behavior, based on the user's actions at that site. Cookies can also keep track of the number of visitors visiting each page at a site.

There are two main types of cookie:

• Session Cookies: A session cookie is only saved for as the duration of the user's visit to the web site. It tracks the user's behavior during the visit, and is then deleted.
• Persistent Cookies: A persistent cookie has an expiration date or lifespan, which is stored as part of the cookie data. It expires when that date is reached or at the end of the lifespan. Persistent cookies can be used to store such things as user login information (to keep the user logged in at each visit), and to send information about the user's browsing activity to the web site or to advertisers.

To find out more about cookies, visit: http://allaboutcookies.org

2) The Purpose of Cookies at This Site

At estausa.com, our intention is to provide visitors with the highest quality of user experience. We use cookies only to store information which allows us to provide such high-quality service to our users. We do not make use of cookies for any other purpose.

3) Cookies: Their Basic Function

A cookie stores information on such things as the user's preferences regarding the way that the site is displayed, the language in which the user prefers the site to be displayed, the specific pages which the user has visited, and the country from which the user is visiting the site.

The purpose of this information is to allow the site to function and be displayed according to the user's preferences each time that the user visits the site. Storing such data in a cookie makes it possible for the site to operate according to these preferences without requiring the user to re-enter such data for each visit to the site.

4) Improving the Quality of the Site

This site also collects information of a statistical nature for the purpose of understanding how visitors use the site, and to improve the quality of the site. This information includes the number of people performing specific actions, which page elements are clicked on, and how often, and how long users spend on each page. Cookies also make it possible to determine when a page or page element is not working properly.

5) If a Visitor Does Not Agree to Allow Cookies

There may be times when a visitor is not willing to allow cookies. This can happen, for example, if the visitor is using a computer that is public (at a library, school, or Internet cafe, for example), or that otherwise cannot be trusted or does not allow control of security. It is possible to instruct most browsers to not save cookies. When a user does this, however, web sites may not operate as it was designed to, and the user will be required to enter basic information for each visit. If a machine is secure and can be trusted (a personal laptop or a desktop system at home, for example), it is advisable to allow cookies in order to allow the site to function properly and provide a high-quality user experience. All visitors have the option to reject the consent of cookies at any time by exiting our website and delete the cookies from their browser.

6) Right to Withdraw Cookies

If, at any time, you should wish to withdraw your consent to our Cookie Policy, you will have to delete the cookies stored by adjusting your Internet browser settings.

 

 

Terms and Conditions

By using our website, you are automatically agreeing to the Terms and Conditions as defined below. Please read the following carefully before continuing to use our website.

1) Legal Definitions

For clarity, the following phrases and words are defined as shown below when used in the context of our Terms and Conditions:

• Any reference to "us", "our", "we" or "company" refers to our company and its subsidiaries
• The terms "you", "your", "yourself" and "user" refer to any individual user visiting this website
• "This site", "site", and "website" refer to www.estausa.com
• The phrases "service" or "services" refer to the ESTA or E-Visa application processing services we provide
• "Your information", "user information", "personal information" and "client information" all refer to any data about you, or those people you represent, that you provide to us for the express purpose of using our services
• The phrase "working day" means a day during the week when banks are open for regular business
• "Terms" refers to this site's Terms and Conditions

2) What We Offer

We offer to process and review electronic travel authorization applications for travel to the USA. Please note that our company and website (estausa.com) are privately owned and operated. They are not connected with any government department, agency or bureau. During your online application process you may see notes regarding further information about the travel authorization you are applying for. When you click on the associated button you are understood to be entering into an agreement with our company.

All visitors to our website have the option of lodging their own applications directly on the official government portal without our assistance. The application cost for a US travel authorization is currently USD $ 14.00 charged directly by the US government. We will though not be able to assist with applications that we have not reviewed and processed.

3) Payment for our Products and Services

There is no charge to access our website, view our products/services or ask questions. However, we do charge for verifying, processing and/or reviewing applications. Before you start an ESTA application we will clearly tell you what the cost of our service will be. All individual USA ESTA applications processed are charged at USD $ 83.00 each, which includes tax and the US government mandatory fee of $ 14.00. There are no other fees charged. By completing the steps and clicking on the pay button, you are agreeing to the fee charged by our company.

Payment can only be made by credit card; all major brands are accepted. The cost of the service or product will be charged in U.S. dollars ($).

If you use a credit card in a currency other than U.S. dollars, your credit card provider will convert the price in U.S. dollar into your local currency using their own exchange rate. The charge will show on your statement after 4-8 days. The transaction may also incur additional fees or card-use charges levied by your credit card provider. We have no influence over such additional fees.

4) ESTA Application Processing

It is your sole responsibility to find out whether a visa is required for you to visit another country before you travel. Depending upon your nationality and personal history, you may be eligible to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) when traveling to the USA. To obtain an ESTA you must provide certain details about yourself, your passport and your reason for visiting the country.

Our website services provide online application forms with all the questions you will need to answer in order to submit an application for ESTA. Part of our specialized service is to review the answers you provide, along with your information, before we process and submit the application on your behalf. If we need any additional information or see anything that may jeopardize your application, we will contact you by email. Please note that any verification of information will delay the processing period.

Once we have ascertained that the information you have provided is valid and complete, we submit your application to the US government department for approval. If for any reason your application cannot be submitted for processing, we will inform you and refund your payment in full.

To receive a response to your ESTA application can take up to 72 hours. However, we advise all travelers to begin the ESTA application process as soon as possible, and at least 7 days before your departure in order to allow time for any unforeseen delays or problems.

5) What Happens if your E-visa or ESTA Application is Denied

If for any reason we are unable to process your application, you can submit another application using a different service provider. Alternatively, you can go directly to the relevant government website and submit an application yourself. The final decision to approve or reject any ESTA or E-visa application lies entirely with each government. If your application is denied, we recommend that you get in touch with the embassy or consulate representing the country you wish to visit and they will advise you of the best way to apply for a standard visa instead. This can take longer than a regular E-visa, so time should be allowed for this possible delay.

In exceptional circumstances, a government may choose to withdraw approval for an Electronic Travel Authorization (E-visa or ESTA) even after it has been approved. In certain situations, they are authorized to change the status from 'Approved' to 'Not authorized to visit with an E-visa'. Even if your application is approved, it is only an authorization to travel. It does not guarantee entry into the country you are intending to visit. The final decision lies with the Customs and Immigration Officer when you arrive at the port of entry. We cannot take any responsibility for any losses incurred if a decision is made to decline or withdraw approval for you to enter a country. We cannot be held liable for any costs or claims resulting from such a decision.

6) Your Responsibilities

It is the sole responsibility of any traveler to comply with all requirements regarding their visit to a foreign country. You are required to answer all questions honestly and fully when making your ESTA or E-visa application. If any information is incorrect, you may not be allowed to board a flight or boat, or you may be refused entry to your intended destination country. In this instance our company cannot be held liable for any subsequent costs or inconveniences.

7) Our Contract

All orders made on our website consist of three mandatory pages with questions and payment information that must be completed by all customers. These actions can only be made by the customer who submits the order him/herself. We accept the offer to process the travel authorization once the complete application and payment are submitted. The order is accepted by us once we dispatch the email with the approved travel authorization. Purchasing our processing service indicates that the Terms and Conditions are accepted. This contract can be concluded in English or the language selected when completing the order. You have the option to withdraw from this contract by formally informing us in writing BY SUBMITTING THIS WITHDRAWAL FORM after payment is made.

8) Website Ownership and Accuracy

As a responsible company, we do everything possible to ensure that the information provided on our website is accurate and up-to-date. However, it may be possible for some statements to include errors, oversights, outdated or missing information and we do not accept liability for any problems or financial losses that may be incurred as a result. This includes both our company and/or estausa.com, whether the problems are material or immaterial, directly or indirectly arising from the use or access of the website and the information contained therein, including technical errors or other reasons.

The information we provide is based on publically available information and on our first-hand knowledge of ESTA and E-visas. The website content, products and materials are all provided on an 'as-is' basis and offers no warranty or guarantee of any kind, whether express or implied. We refute any and all warranties to the greatest extent permitted by existing law. This includes, but is not limited to, implied warranties, suitability for the purpose intended, sale-ability or non-infringement. The company in no way warrants or represents that any of the products, functions or services provided by our site are free of interruptions or errors. We cannot guarantee repair of any defects, or that the site and its servers are free of harmful components, viruses or malware. Our company cannot make any representations or warranties regarding use of material provided on this site regarding its accuracy, reliability, adequacy, timeliness, correctness, usefulness or any other functions. In some cases, the above exclusions and limitations are not allowed by certain governments so some of the above limitations may not be applicable to you.

The information provided on this website is intended to be used solely for personal and non-commercial purposes. Users are permitted to download content and store it on their personal computer, provided their use does not alter any trademarks or proprietary notices to copyrights. The information is not permitted to be redistributed, whether in the original language or as a translation.

In the case that you were directed to our website from a third-party website, our company cannot be held liable for their sites, use or content. They are beyond our control. If you choose to use any other provider or third party site, we advise that you read their privacy policy, terms and conditions as we are not responsible for any resulting problems. When we offer links to third-party sites, we take every precaution to ensure that those sites do not violate any laws. However, it is not possible or reasonable to expect that we can make an ongoing review of such sites. We choose only to link to websites where we have not detected any legal violations. If we do notice any violations or misconduct, we immediately take steps to remedy the situation for the safety of our own users.

9) Copyright Information

The content of this website and the site itself are protected by international copyright law and the copyrights laws governing each of the companies we choose to do business with. Anyone found violating those copyright laws without written consent from us will have legal action taken against them. This applies to design and content of the entire site and all elements and files within, including graphics, text, media files, forms, documents, stored data, page elements and associated software. These are all protected by international copyright laws and remain the property of our company at all times.

You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.

10) Terms of Site Access

We grant you, the user, access on a limited basis provided the following limitations are respected:

• The site and its content are used for personal use only, along with any automatic caching by your browser
• None of the site or its content are used for commercial purposes
• The site is not modified without explicit permission in writing to make such changes
• None of the logos, graphics or text contained on this website are used without written permission from the company
• No framing, embedding or other techniques are placed on the site, its elements or pages
• No meta tags or hidden text are permitted using our trademark or name in any other website or page without written permission from the company
• External links to our home page are permitted provided the link in no way represents the company or site and is not deemed to be derogatory or offensive
• No site content is copied, either by hand or through automatic means (including robots or data mining), and made available to other organizations, businesses or commercial operations
• Any permissions or restrictions in the above apply to all content and elements of this site and may be revoked at will

11) Company information

12) Contacting Us

Users are invited to contact us by email. Do not send any documents or passports to us by regular post. By contacting us via email or through our website, you are agreeing that such communications are legal and lawful. We reserve the right to communicate officially with users solely by email or through the website. If you are unable or unwilling to communicate with us by email it may affect the service we are able to provide to you, and we may be forced to cancel your application. We cannot be held responsible for any lost or deleted application information if you choose not to communicate with us.

13) Feedback and Complaint Policy

We encourage all customers to provide feedback in order to resolve any matters and improve our services. Please email us at info@estausa.org and write "Feedback" or "Complaint" in the subject field for immediate attention and resolution. We will prioritize your comment thoroughly and respond within 2 days.

14) Terms and Conditions - Future Changes

It is the user's sole responsibility to read and review all our Terms and Conditions. We reserve the right to change such Terms and Conditions without prior notice, for any reason. This may be due to changes in the law, security considerations or changes to the products and services we provide.

15) Complaint Handling Policy

The purpose of our Complaint Handling Policy is to address any dissatisfaction with the service provided. As a company we are committed to resolve any issues which are deemed to require a response. A complaint may be submitted in writing or orally.

Certain types of complaints may be considered as negative feedback which does not require a follow up response. We do appreciate feedback, positive or negative, to improve our services. However, this Complaint Handling Policy is only related to feedback which require a response. There is no cost to submit a complaint.

All complaints will be addressed the same day and followed up with accordingly. The complainant will be informed of the progress accordingly in a courteous manner. Our goal is resolve the issue and come to a solution that is fair for both parties. If we are unable to resolve the issue at hand within a reasonable timeframe, we will seek an alternative dispute resolution to negotiate and mediate the issue.

When making a complaint, please include as many details as possible in order for us to understand your problem and situation. Any supportive documentation may be included for reference. If you are not sure how to formulate the complaint, please contact us via email (info@estausa.org) and explain briefly the issue. We will do our best to resolve the issue.

Please email us at: info@estausa.org and write "COMPLAINT HANDLING POLICY" in the subject field for immediate attention.

16) Termination of Service

We reserve the right to terminate our service with you for any reason at any time. This includes applications for ESTA and E-visas. If we discontinue or cancel our service to you, this will also include termination of your access to any part of our website, cancellation of any and all services, and cancellation of your personal online registration.

17) Legal Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from our services or the use of our website are subject to the courts of United Kingdom. We also reserve the right to take legal action against users in the location of their domicile. In all circumstances the law applied will be that of United Kingdom.

Updated: 9 May 2017

 

Withdrawal Form

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