Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
As of January 01, 2009 the ESTA website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov is available in 16 languages, including German.
ESTA Now Required
Please read DHS' 12th of January ESTA Press Release (pdf)
All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure will require, as of January 12, 2009, an approved ESTA prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.
This does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling abroad.
An approved ESTA travel authorization is:
- valid for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
- valid for multiple entries into the U.S.; and
- not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP. In all cases, CBP officers make admissibility determinations at our ports of entry.
Please find the details at the Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
You can also watch a video that answers typical questions about ESTA.
More Information
ESTA Advisory Statement
DHS does not charge VWP travelers a fee for completion of an ESTA™ application. Eligible visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP may apply for travel authorization via the ESTA™ Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.
VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA™ and for submitting ESTA™ applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. Again, the United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through the ESTA™ Web site.
Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA™ will not expedite the granting of approval.
CBP’s original advisory statement (pdf)
