If you’re going to travel internationally, you need to be familiar with the documentation required to travel. Different countries have different standards and practices for collecting information from the people traveling there. This is partially to track who’s coming in and out of the country and partially for security reasons.
Over the decades, there have been many advancements in terms of travel authorization documents. In some ways, it’s easier than ever to travel to a different country. But because there are so many different types of travel authorizations available in so many different countries, it can be confusing for new international travelers to make sense of everything.
For example, what’s the difference between an ESTA and a visa? In this article, we’ll explore the differences and inform you which is most appropriate for your travel needs.
What Is a Visa?
Let’s start with the basics. You generally need to have a passport issued by the country you’re departing from to travel internationally. In other words, if you want to travel to France from the United States, you’ll need the United States to issue you an international passport.
A visa is a travel authorization from the country that is your destination. The visa is usually placed in the traveler’s passport for convenient review.
As you might imagine, different countries have different requirements for when visas are required and how visas are issued. You’ll need to research this information with your destination country before traveling – and ideally, months before you need to travel internationally so you have plenty of time to get your travel documents and account for any errors.
In the United States, there are two types of visas for incoming foreign visitors: immigrant visas and temporary visas. Immigrant visas are issued based on family ties, employment, and other special immigrant categories. These are generally harder to receive.
Nonimmigrant visas, also known as temporary visas, are much more commonly issued. By default, you will need to get one if you’re traveling to the United States for work, to visit a friend, for medical purposes, or for tourism purposes.
To get one, you’ll need to work with your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate, provide identification and other documents, and potentially schedule an interview. Wait times vary, but if you need to follow this process, you should begin it as soon as possible to minimize the potential for delays.
What Is an ESTA?
What, then, is an ESTA?
To understand ESTAs, we first need to understand the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program created by the United States government to encourage more travel for business, tourism, and other needs.
Essentially, it’s designed to waive the requirement to obtain a visa for temporary travel for people from specific developed countries. In other words, if you’re a citizen of a developed, high-income country, you may be able to use this program to bypass the visa application process altogether.
Instead, you’ll use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). If you’re interested in traveling to the U.S., you can apply via online application and get electronic approval for your forthcoming travel. An ESTA won’t guarantee you entry into the country, but it serves as formal evidence that you’re cleared to travel under the VWP.
Differences Between an ESTA and a Visa
On the surface, these travel documents seem almost identical.
So what are the differences?
– Right of entry. First, understand that visas require much more thorough vetting, so they practically guarantee a person to enter the U.S. for travel purposes. ESTAs are a form of travel approval, but they don’t guarantee a legal right to entry.
– Stay duration. If you’re using an ESTA, you can stay for up to 90 days in a single visit. Visas, by contrast, grant approval for up to 6 months of visitation.
– Authorization duration. Your ESTA will remain active for two years (or until your passport expires). A visa may last up to 10 years.
– Application and processing. The application process is very different for ESTAs and visas. Visas take at least a few weeks to process, with busy seasons extending that wait time to 10-12 weeks. ESTAs can be completed online, often taking just a few minutes to process and taking a maximum of 72 hours.
– Costs. You can get an ESTA for just $14, while the cost of applying for a visitor visa in the United States is $160. If your ESTA application is denied, you can be refunded $10. There is no refund available for a denied visa.
While international travel can be confusing, ESTAs and the Visa Waiver Program attempt to make things simpler. Make sure you do your research before planning a trip to the United States.
