What To Choose – A conventional US Visa Or An Online Travel Permit ESTA Visa?

The classic US Visa application or the online ESTA application

The ESTA application and ESTA Visa online is a process that enables an individual to get a travel permit to the United States online without the need to actually visit the US Embassy or Consulate. Nevertheless, there is no such option as a conventional US VISA application in ESTA. However, you must consider the pros and cons of both options.

With the implementation of the ESTA Visa, traveling to the United States is no longer a difficult task to do. Merely applying for the ESTA Visa can make you eligible to travel to the US. Therefore, if you are thinking about a US Visa application or ESTA Visa application, to travel to the United States, you must know all about the online travel permit.

 

There is no more need for a conventional US visa
Get the ESTA online by completing the online application here

What is an ESTA visa online?

The Electronic System Travel Authorization is very different o your normal US visa application. It is an automated system that is applicable to citizens from the visa waiver countries. Under the ESTA program, citizens from 38 different countries across the globe are permitted to travel to the United States on leisure or business for as long as 90 days. However, you must keep in mind that this is not a visa replacement, but only related to travel purposes.

The best part of the ESTA Visa is that you are no longer required to go anywhere to seek permission to enter the US. All you need to do is, simply apply online and wait for the process to complete on its own. Before applying, check the list of 38 countries that come under the US Visa Waiver Program. If your home country falls in this list, you can apply for ESTA and travel to the US for up to 90 days without any visa. The UK is part of the Visa waiver program and any UK citizen can apply.

Apply from the comfort of your home. We will send your approved travel permit by email! CLICK HERE

Factors That Can Help You Choose Between the electronic travel permit And US Visa

While visiting the US, you may be confused about whether you should apply for a visa or ESTA. Without a doubt, a visa comes with more facilities and rights than ESTA. But do you actually need to go through the lengthy process of getting a visa, when the easier process of ESTA application can suffice? Here are a few factors that can help you choose between a visa and ESTA:

• Duration of your trip:

• As per your convenience, you can choose to apply for a Visa or ESTA if your trip duration to the US is for 90 days or less. If you have decided to apply for ESTA, make sure that your trip is less than 90 days. If your trip duration is going to exceed 90 days, then you need to apply for the conventional US visa only.

• The objective of your trip:

• Although ESTA allows you to visit the US for a short period of time, you get several additional benefits if you visit the country with a visa. The objective of your trip plays an important role in determining whether you should apply for a conventional Visa or ESTA Visa. Some common objectives can be:

• Holiday:

• If you are visiting the US for the purpose of tourism, and if your trip is equal to or less than 90 days, then you will get a number of benefits from ESTA instead of the US visa. Moreover, applying for ESTA-USA  is more convenient and simple.

• Medical treatment:

• The US is known to have some of the best and most advanced medical treatments and facilities across the globe. So, if you are visiting the country to get any kind of medical treatment, then it is best to apply for ESTA because of the convenience and simplicity it offers. Make sure, your treatment duration is not more than 90 days. If it is going to be a long treatment process and if you think that you won’t be able to recover in 90 days, then you should apply for a conventional visa. 

• Business trip:

• Certain business purposes might call your presence in the United States. For instance, if you are purchasing or selling a property in the US, if you need to attend a corporative event or a professional exhibition in the country or if you are coming to the US just to sign a contract then applying for your electronic visa is the best way of getting entry to the US.

There is no more need for a conventional US visa
Get the ESTA online by completing the online application here

 

US trips that do not fall under the ESTA visa Category but require a US visa application

Applying for ESTA is an easier and quicker way of getting entry to the US. However, there are certain conditions for which you need not apply for ESTA, but for a US visa application only. So, it is important to discuss what type of trips does not fall under the ESTA category.

Not sure if you can apply for ESTA Authorization? Here is all you need to know about the electronic travel permit.

In general, the traveling conditions listed below are not acceptable under ESTA, and you need to apply for a visa in an American Embassy to be able to travel to America:

• Work trips:

• If you are traveling to the US for work, and if you are going to get compensation for the work during your stay in the United States. In that case, you are required to use a conventional US Visa application by going to the Embassy. A person processing the travel application via ESTA is not legally allowed to carry out any work-related activity in the country, even in the case of professional labor like an artist, reporter, etc.

• Study trips:

• When your whole and sole purpose to travel to the US is an academic activity, whether for a long and a short duration of time, then you must go through the standard US visa application process. Rather, you should apply for a visa if your purpose is to study a course in the United States. The reason being that after the studies, the visa allows possibilities of extension. This in case you decide to extend your stay after completing the course. However, this possibility is not allowed in the case of ESTA. Once your 90 days are over, you need to return to your home country. There is no option to renew your electronic travel permit.

• Marriage:

• Whatsoever is the condition, you are not allowed to marry in the United States. If you are traveling to the US for marriage purposes, then you need to complete the appropriate US  visa application. There are no possibilities of extending, renewing, or changing your stay period with the electronic travel permit. By any means, you cannot modify the status of your application. Thus, if your purpose is marriage, then, you must apply for a visa to extend your stay, for residency or for nationalization. 

• Emigration:

• If you have decided to relocate to the US, then the best option is to apply for a visa. In this case, an ESTA Visa will not be of great help to you. You are not allowed to have any modifications later on. With ESTA you cannot apply for residency or get a green card, not even if you are a long-term resident or a frequent visitor. Only applying for a visa enables you to update your status later on as a US resident and eventually the US citizen. 

• Nationalization:

• When your purpose of traveling to the United States is to finally get citizenship of the country, then the only option you are left with is to apply for a visa. With ESTA, you are not liable for US citizenship. Later on, you are not even allowed to do any modification or update the status of your application. This means that you won’t be able to apply for nationalization.

There is no more need for a conventional US visa – Now you can complete your ESTA application here.
Get the ESTA online by completing the online application here 

Who can apply for an ESTA Visa online?

Before you apply for an electronic visa, it is important to know who can apply for an ESTA Visa

• you are a citizen of a country included in the Visa Waiver Program
• currently, you do not possess a US visitor’s visa
• your duration of the trip is 90 days or less
• you are planning to travel to the US for business or for leisure
• If you already have ESTA authorization, and you want to add one or more people in your application

 

Documents Required While Applying for an ESTA Visa online

Before you apply, make sure that you have all these documents ready. You must have:

• your valid passport from a country included in the Visa Waiver Program
• a valid credit card (MasterCard, American Express, VISA, and Discover (JCB, Diners Club). You may also make your payment through PayPal
• your contact details
• work details and recent employment

Under ESTA, the travelers are authorized to board a carrier to travel to the United States under the scheme of VWP. However, the private carriers must fall under the signatory visa waiver program carrier. The applicant must apply through ESTA at least 72 hours before the time of travel. However, you must keep in mind that it is not a visa and does not meet the legal obligations. On the contrary, if you have a visa, there is no need to apply for the electronic travel permit. However, entry to the United States is not guaranteed in both cases.

• There is no more need for a conventional US visa – Now you can complete your ESTA application here.
  Get the ESTA online by completing the online application here

  

  Apply for Your ESTA online, complete the application online for your ESTA Visa USA here

Frequently Asked Questions

No matter, how informed you are. In some cases, you tend to get confused and certain questions regarding online travel permit ESTA might pop-up in your mind. You may be confused about whether you should apply for a visa or an electronic travel permit. Here are some of the answers to your queries that might help you out in case of any confusion.  

• What’s the difference between ESTA Visa and a conventional Visa?

• The ESTA Visa travel authorization is not the same as a visa. ESTA is applicable to only those who are liable for a conventional visa waiver program. It is different from a conventional Visa, as it does not have any legal permit or it cannot be extended. ESTA is a travel requirement which is applicable only for 90 days. On the contrary, Visa duration can be extended and it offers many facilities and legal rights to the person traveling to the United States. A person with a valid Visa does not need to apply for ESTA.

• I made a mistake while applying for my ESTA Visa online. How to fix it?

• In order to correct a mistake in your ESTA visa application, you need to keep a check on your application status. In case of wrong application, there are chances of rejection. However, before you finally submit it, you must make sure to review your application and check the details. Make sure to check the information provided, passport number, spellings, dates, and other relevant information.

• Do I need to apply for ESTA Visa if I already have a valid visitor visa?

• No, as long as your visa is valid, you need not apply for ESTA. On the expiry date of your visa, you can apply to extend its duration or period. Having a valid visitor visa makes you eligible to go to the US.

• My home country is not a part of the Visa Waiver Program. Can I apply for an electronic permit?

• No, in that case, you are not eligible to apply for the ESTA. It is for the individuals who enter the United States with a passport from a Visa Waiver Country only. If you do not belong to the category of a Visa Waiver Country, you must apply for a US Visitor’s Visa.

• My US visa application got rejected. Now, can I apply for an ESTA Visa and get permission to enter the US?

• No, if you have ever been denied a visa to the US, you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program either.

• I have a passport from a Visa Waiver country. Do I need to apply for the electronic travel permit?

• If you intend to enter the US by sea or air as per the Visa Waiver Program, you need to apply for the electronic travel permit. However, it is not applicable in the case of land. On the other hand, in case you want to stay for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a valid visa.

• I did not receive approval. Now what?

• As per the records of the DHS, over 99% of all applicants are approved within 5 seconds. However, if your application is denied, then you can try for a second time by applying for a US visitor’s visa. Now you know, there are certain conditions that you need to meet while applying for a visa or an electronic travel permit. Most importantly, you need to look at the duration of your trip. If it’s less than 90 days, and if your home country falls under the Visa Waiver program, then you can go ahead and apply for ESTA. However, you need to meet other conditions as well, such as your purpose of visiting. Depending on these conditions you can decide whether you should apply for a USA visa or the electronic travel permit.

 

There is no more need for a conventional US visa – Now you can complete your application here.
Get the ESTA online by completing the ESTA online application here 

 

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• There is no more need for a conventional US visa – Now you can complete your application here.
  Get the ESTA online by completing the online application here

  

  Apply for Your ESTA online, complete the ESTA application online for your ESTA Visa USA here