{"id":2774,"date":"2024-03-11T21:45:25","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T21:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usa-gv.com\/esta-visa-usa\/"},"modified":"2025-02-25T11:50:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T11:50:45","slug":"esta-visa-usa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/usa-gv.com\/en\/esta-visa-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"Is ESTA a visa for the USA?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the difference between a visa and ESTA?<\/h1>\n\n

Both documents are U.S. travel authorizations.\nThey are fundamentally different, and their main differences are as follows: <\/p>\n\n

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  1. The visa is granted by an American embassy or consulate in the country where the traveler resides, while the ESTA is an electronic authorization obtained online<\/a>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Each type of visa has its own specific conditions and validity period, while the ESTA allows short stays of less than 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Obtaining a tourist visa<\/a> involves a consular interview and the presentation of additional documents, while for ESTA: simply fill in the online form<\/a> and pay the ESTA fee<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Is ESTA a type of visa for the USA?<\/h2>\n\n

    No, the ESTA authorization is not a visa for the United States.\nThe ESTA is an electronic travel authorization that must be obtained before boarding a plane to the USA.\nThis procedure allows you to travel to the U.S. without a visa, subject to certain ESTA eligibility conditions<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

    ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry into the United States.\nTravelers in possession of an ESTA must undergo a brief interview with a customs officer on arrival at the U.S. border.\nIt is only after this interview that the traveler is authorized to enter and remain on American territory. <\/p>\n\n

    Who can travel to the USA with an ESTA and without a visa?<\/h2>\n\n

    Only nationals of member countries of the Visa Waiver Program<\/a> can travel to the USA without a visa, with a simple ESTA authorization. To obtain their certificate, travelers must complete the ESTA form online<\/a>. ESTA processing takes<\/a> a minimum of a few minutes and a maximum of 72 hours.<\/p>\n\n

    Is the price of the ESTA different from the price of the visa?<\/h2>\n\n

    Different fees apply for the ESTA or the USA visa:<\/p>\n\n