🛂 How to Fill in Your ESTA Application: A Step-by-Step Guide (2025 Update)
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Planning a trip to the USA? If you’re from one of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries (like the UK, most of Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, etc.), you don’t need a visa — you need an ESTA.
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It’s an online application that grants travelers permission to board flights or ships bound for the U.S. under the visa waiver system. It’s not a visa, but it works like an entry pre-check that the airline and U.S. border officials will verify.
Without an ESTA, you cannot board your flight.
The good news? Filling it out takes only about 15–20 minutes if you’re prepared. This guide will walk you through the application step by step, help you avoid mistakes, and make sure you’re ready for smooth entry into the USA.
🚏 Table of Contents
- 📝 Before You Start: What You Need to Apply for ESTA
- 🌐 Step 1: Go to the Official ESTA Website
- 👤 Step 2: Start Your Application
- 📋 Step 3: Fill Out Your Personal Information
- 🏡 Step 4: Add Your Contact & Employment Details
- 🇺🇸 Step 5: Enter Your U.S. Travel Information
- ⚖️ Step 6: Answer Eligibility & Security Questions
- 📱 Step 7: Review Your Application Carefully
- 💳 Step 8: Pay & Submit
- ⏳ Step 9: Wait for Approval
- 🔄 Updates & Validity
- 🚨 Common ESTA Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚡ Final Thoughts: Smooth Sailing with ESTA
📝 Before You Start: What You Need to Apply for ESTA
Have these details ready before you sit down at your computer:
- Passport: Biometric/e-passport from a VWP country.
- Home address & phone number
- Employer details (or status if unemployed/retired/student)
- U.S. point of contact (friend, family, hotel, or “UNKNOWN” if not applicable)
- First U.S. address (hotel/Airbnb address, even if just your first night)
- Parents’ full names (if known)
- Emergency contact (can be outside the U.S.)
- Payment card (credit/debit)
- Valid email address (where ESTA updates will be sent)
💡 Pro tip: Double-check that your passport is valid for the entire duration of your trip. If your passport expires soon, renew it first before applying for ESTA.
🌐 Step 1: Go to the Official ESTA Website
Many fake websites are charging unnecessary fees. The only official ESTA site ends in .gov and looks simple. Always apply directly there.
👉 Look for:
- HTTPS padlock in the address bar
- “.gov” domain
- Clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection branding
👤 Step 2: Start Your Application
You’ll be given two choices:
- Individual Application – for one traveler.
- Group Application – for families or companions traveling together (saves time).
For most, an individual application is the way to go.
📋 Step 3: Fill Out Your Personal Information
You’ll be asked to enter details exactly as they appear on your passport:
- Full name (with accents/diacritics if applicable)
- Gender & date of birth
- City & country of birth
- Passport number, issuing country, expiration date
- Other nationalities (if any)
- Parents’ names (if unknown, write “UNKNOWN”)
- Any aliases or previous names
⚠️ Common mistake: Mixing up the letter O with the number 0 or using nicknames instead of your legal name.
🏡 Step 4: Add Your Contact & Employment Details
- Home address, phone number, and email address.
- Current employer: name, address, job title.
If not employed: you can select student, retired, homemaker, or unemployed.
🇺🇸 Step 5: Enter Your U.S. Travel Information
- U.S. point of contact: If visiting a friend, put their name and contact. If staying at a hotel, enter hotel details. If not applicable, you may be allowed to write “UNKNOWN.”
- U.S. address for your first night: Hotel or Airbnb address is fine.
- Emergency contact: Can be someone in the U.S. or back home.
⚖️ Step 6: Answer Eligibility & Security Questions
These cover:
- Communicable diseases
- Criminal history
- Immigration history
- Travel history to certain countries
👉 Answer truthfully. A “yes” may not always mean automatic denial, but false information will.
📱 Step 7: Review Your Application Carefully
Before you hit submit, double-check:
- Passport number
- Name spelling (must match your passport exactly)
- Date of birth
- Email address
💡 Pro tip: Even one typo can invalidate your ESTA and force you to reapply.
💳 Step 8: Pay & Submit
- Payment is by credit or debit card only.
- Fee is around $21 per person (always check the official site for updates).
You’ll receive an application number — write it down or save the PDF confirmation.
⏳ Step 9: Wait for Approval
ESTA processing usually takes just a few minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours.
Statuses:
- Approved ✅ – You’re good to go!
- Pending ⏳ – Check back later (usually within 72 hours).
Not Authorized ❌ – You’ll need to apply for a U.S. visa instead.
🔄 Updates & Validity
- ESTA is usually valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- You can update details like your U.S. address or email after approval.
- You cannot update: passport number, name, or nationality — you’ll need a new ESTA if those change.
One ESTA covers multiple trips to the U.S.
🚨 Common ESTA Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a fake website and overpaying.
- Entering your passport number incorrectly.
- Waiting until the last minute (apply at least 72 hours before departure).
- Forgetting to update your U.S. address if your hotel changes.
Ignoring spam folders — ESTA confirmation emails sometimes land there.
👶 Do Children Need ESTA?
Yes. Every traveler — including infants and children — must have their own ESTA approved before boarding a flight to the U.S. Parents/guardians can fill it out on their behalf.
📌 Quick ESTA Checklist (Print or Save!)
✅ Biometric passport
✅ U.S. address for first night
✅ Employer or status details
✅ Parents’ names
✅ Emergency contact
✅ Payment card ready
✅ Exact name & passport number match
✅ Save application number + PDF confirmation
⚡ Final Thoughts: Smooth Sailing with ESTA
Filling out your ESTA doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right preparation and a careful double-check of your details, you can have approval in minutes — giving you peace of mind before your big trip.
Remember: Always apply on the official U.S. government website, avoid third-party fees, and don’t leave it until the last minute.
📥 Get Your FREE ESTA Step-by-Step Checklist (PDF)
Want this guide in a quick printable format? Download my FREE ESTA Step-by-Step Checklist PDF — perfect to have on hand while filling out your application. Click here to grab it now!
📚 Plan Your U.S. Trip with My RoadBooks
Getting your ESTA is just the first step. Next comes planning the adventure of a lifetime. My USA RoadBooks include ready-to-use itineraries, maps, insider tips, and city/road trip guides so you can explore with confidence. Whether it’s New York, Los Angeles, or a full Southwest road trip, I’ve got you covered. Check out the RoadBooks here.