To enter the United States without a visa, foreign nationals benefiting from the Visa Waiver Program can obtain an ESTA travel document. This official travel document is electronic. You need to log on to the web to make an official ESTA request.
ESTA certification is 100% electronic
The ESTA document is a 100% electronic travel document. There is no paper version of the official ESTA document. In other words, it is an electronic form that must be completed by nationals of member countries of the Visa Waiver Program in order to be able to take advantage of this advantage for their trip to the United States. ESTA authorization is required for air, sea and land travel.
An ESTA certificate is not free of charge
Created in 2009, the ESTA travel document was free before becoming paying since 2010. It is no longer possible to obtain this document free of charge. The price to pay for an ESTA certificate on the official website is 21 US dollars.
No need to print your ESTA
Travelers holding an ESTA authorization do not need to print it out when clearing U.S. customs on arrival. U.S. customs officers electronically verify the details entered to obtain the ESTA. The printed ESTA document has no official value in the eyes of the American authorities, but can be used to help you organize your trip. In the event of an unannounced check, the printed document helps you to remember the information on your travel certificate.
It is even advisable to have a paper version of the ESTA document with you throughout the trip in order to plan for all eventualities.