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You apply tthrough Online application at the official U.S. government website. You fill in personal, travel, and security-related information. There’s a small application fee (currently $21 as of 2025)

ESTA is the online pre‑travel authorization for **Visa Waiver Program (VWP)** visitors. It screens eligibility before you board. **Not a visa**; final admission is decided by CBP at the port of entry. Apply at least **72 hours** before travel. Approved ESTA is generally valid **2 years** (or until your passport expires) and covers multiple trips of **up to 90 days** each.

See alos VWP esta-validity-90-day-rule esta-for-land-entry

ESTA is linked to a single passport number. If you get a new passport, your old ESTA becomes invalid, even if it hasn’t expired yet.

You must apply for a new ESTA with your new passport.

• Go to the official U.S. government ESTA site.
• Submit a fresh application using the new passport details.
• Pay the fee again.
  ravel not possible with mismatched documents.
• Airlines check that your ESTA matches your current passport.
• If your ESTA is linked to an old passport, you won’t be allowed to board.

That’s an important (and serious) topic — here’s a clear breakdown of what happens if someone overstays in the U.S. beyond what their ESTA or visa allows, and how it affects future travel:

If you entered the U.S. under ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) → maximum stay is 90 days.

• If you stay even 1 day longer, you are technically out of status and have overstayed.
• For visa holders, it depends on the authorized stay period shown on the I-94 record (not the visa stamp).

⚠️ Immediate consequences

• Voiding of ESTA/Visa → Once you overstay, your current ESTA or visa is automatically invalid.
• Ineligibility for ESTA in the future → Even a short overstay means you usually cannot use ESTA again. You’d need to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate.
• Possible deportation & removal record if discovered before leaving.
• Bars on reentry depending on how long you overstayed:
  180 days but

🚫 Long-term effects

• Future visa applications: Any overstay is a serious negative factor. You’ll need to explain it in detail in future visa interviews.
• Loss of Visa Waiver eligibility: Overstayers can no longer use ESTA and must always apply for a visa.
• Immigration databases: The overstay is recorded in DHS/CBP systems, so it shows up whenever you apply for U.S. entry again.
• Secondary inspections: Even if a visa is granted later, expect extra questioning or delays at the border.

✅ What to do if you overstay accidentally

• Leave as soon as possible: The longer the overstay, the worse the consequences.
• Keep documentation: If there were exceptional reasons (medical emergency, airline cancellations, natural disasters), keep proof — this may help when explaining later.
• Consult an immigration lawyer if the overstay was long or if you plan to apply for another U.S. visa.

🔑 Bottom line:

• Even a short overstay = no more ESTA, future visa hurdles.
• 180 days = automatic reentry bans (3 or 10 years).
• Always check your I-94 record online (official DHS website) to know your exact departure deadline.

Citizens of countries that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (e.g., Germany, UK, France, Japan, etc.) need ESTA

See also ESTA Validity Viva Waiver Program

It is the proof of Your Authorized Stay. It shows your class of admission and the date your authorized stay ends.

See Also: I-94, ESTA, ESTA For Lannd Entry

Because Cuba is a designated **State Sponsor of Terrorism (Jan 12, 2021)**, travelers who visited **Cuba on/after that date** are **not eligible** for **ESTA/VWP** with limited exceptions and must apply for a **visa** instead.

See Also: VISA Waiver Program ESTA b2-Tourist-Visa

• If you entered under the Visa Waiver Program / ESTA, VWP entrants generally are not eligible to extend their stay. You normally must depart on or before the admission date. Reise
• However USCIS can exercise discretion in emergencies/unforeseen circumstances: in limited cases it may grant a short “satisfactory departure” period (typically up to 30 days, and occasionally an additional 30 days) when an emergency (e.g., serious illness) prevents departure. This is exceptional and decided case-by-case. USCIS+1
• CBP has deferred inspection procedures and medical guidance for travelers who cannot leave immediately; ports/Deferred Inspection Sites can document the situation. This is an important practical route for on-the-ground problems.
• check Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances of USCIS
• Get clear medical documentation immediately
  Doctor’s letter/hospital discharge note stating diagnosis, treatment dates, and explicit statement that travel was medically inadvisable (with dates).
  Keep all bills, lab reports, prescriptions, and any “no-fly”/clearance notes from a physician or airline medical department.
• Contact the airline
  Tell them you cannot travel for medical reasons and ask them to note the booking and provide/confirm any no-fly documentation or rebooking options. Save their emails/screenshots.
• Contact the nearest CBP Deferred Inspection or Port of Entry office
  Explain the situation and ask for instructions — CBP can document the emergency and in some cases provide a deferred inspection or “satisfactory departure” window. Find local Deferred Inspection sites and contact details. U.S. Customs and Border Protection+1
• If you are not a VWP entrant (i.e., you have a visa other than ESTA)
  File Form I-539 with USCIS to request an extension of stay before your I-94 expires, including all medical evidence. USCIS guidance covers extensions for unforeseen emergencies. USCIS+1
• If you are a VWP (ESTA) entrant
  You generally cannot file I-539 to extend. Instead: immediately contact CBP/Deferred Inspection AND USCIS (or follow USCIS emergency guidance) to ask about a short “satisfactory departure” due to emergency; gather all evidence to present. Do this now — don’t wait. Reise+1
• Contact your country’s embassy/consulate (optional but helpful)
  They can sometimes provide advice, help communicate with local authorities, and provide records that may help consular/immigration officers later.
• Document everything and keep copies
  Dates, names, emails, medical notes, boarding passes, cancelled flight records. This is the evidence you’ll need later (for visa interviews, waiver requests, or removal defense).
• Get legal advice if the overstay is (or will be) long (>180 days) or if you are told you may be subject to removal/other actions. An immigration attorney can advise on waivers (I-601) and strategy

1. Before You Travel

• 🔗 Go to the official site: of USCIS
• 🛂 Create a free account (name, email, U.S. passport info).
• 📍 Add your trip details:
  Country and city of travel
  Dates of arrival and departure
  Lodging address/phone (hotel, rental, family, etc.)
• ☎️ Add emergency contacts (family/friends in the U.S.).

2. While Abroad

• 📩 Check your email regularly for Embassy/Consulate alerts (safety, demonstrations, natural disasters, travel restrictions).
• 📞 Keep your U.S. embassy’s phone number handy.
• 🔄 Update your STEP profile if:
  You move cities or hotels
  Your travel dates change
  You add new destinations

3. In Case of Emergency

• 🚨 The U.S. Embassy can contact you with instructions (evacuation points, shelter info, safety updates).
• 👨‍👩‍👧 They can also help your family reach you if there’s an emergency at home.
• 📃 Keep copies of:
  Passport photo page
  Flight itinerary
  Hotel/residence info
  Local emergency numbers

4. After Returning Home

• ✅ Log in to STEP and end/cancel the trip registration.

See also STEP

Yes ✅ — if you are a U.S. citizen traveling or living abroad, enrolling in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) is strongly recommended by the U.S. Department of State.

👍 Why it’s recommended

1. Emergency contact
   If there’s a natural disaster, political unrest, or health crisis where you’re traveling, the U.S. Embassy/Consulate can contact you quickly.
2. Family connection
   If there’s an emergency back home, the Embassy can help your family reach you.
3. Safety updates
   You’ll receive security and travel alerts specific to your destination.
4. Free and easy

See also STEP

Citizens of countries that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (e.g., Germany, UK, France, Japan, etc.). For short visits — tourism, business trips, or transit.

No.An approved ESTA allows you to board a plane/ship to the U.S., but the final entry decision is made by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the border.