ESTA stands
for
Electronic
System for
Travel
Authorization. ESTA is an
application
system for
all
travelers
from Visa
Waiver
Countries
only. The
Visa Waiver
Program has
made
visiting the
United
States very
easy for
millions of
visitors
with a
machine
readable
passport.
Now the same
visitors
must apply
for a Travel
Authorization
in advance
in addition
to have a
machine
readable
passport.
The
application
process is
online and
run by the
U.S.
Department
of Homeland
Security
(DHS).
The purpose
of ESTA is
to let DHS
pre-screen
all Visa
Waiver
Travelers
before they
leave their
respective
countries.
US bound
travelers
are
recommended
to apply for
a Travel
Authorization
at least 72
hours prior
to
departure.
The Travel
Authorization
is not a
visa. In
fact, a
person from
a non-visa
waiver
country
should not
even attempt
to apply for
a Travel
Authorization.
All ESTA
does is to
pre-screen a
Visa Waiver
Traveler and
allow him or
her to
travel to
the United
States and
apply for
admission.
An approved
Travel
Authorization
does not
guaranty
entry to the
United
States, but
it is a
prerequisite
to travel to
the United
States by
air or sea
carrier.
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