USA | ESTA

Differences between a visa and an ESTA

Discover the differences between the US visa and the ESTA electronic travel certificate below.

ESTA: the easiest to obtain

It is advisable to opt for an ESTA authorization, which is less expensive and faster than a visa.

The conditions of access are as follows:

If you meet all of these criteria, you can make an official ESTA application online. You will receive your document within 72 hours, ready to be downloaded as a PDF. If you wish, you can then print your document, which is valid for two years. It offers the possibility to stay for a maximum of 90 consecutive days during this period.

If you wish to stay for a longer period of time, there are other options available to you, such as a visa.

VISA for a customized trip

If your profile does not meet the requirements for travel with ESTA, you can travel to the USA with a visa.

However, the procedure and time required to obtain a US visa is much longer than for an ESTA. Therefore, prepare your application well in advance of your intended departure date.

You can apply for a visa for different reasons, such as

For more information, you can visit the website of a U.S. embassy or contact a consular officer who will inform you about the visas that best suit your profile and the reasons for your stay in the United States.

Good to know before your trip: good manners in the United States are not necessarily the same as in France, to learn more, please consult the page dedicated to the subject.