Applying for an ESTA is almost too easy. You fill out a form online. It costs about $21.
You answer some very personal questions. “Have you ever been to a war zone?” “Do you have a criminal record involving moral turpitude?” (What even is moral turpitude?)
Most people just click “No” and giggle nervously. It takes about ten minutes, and usually, you get an answer in seconds.
Pro tip: Do this before you buy your plane ticket. It’s just less stressful that way.
The Quirky Backstory: Why This Exists
Before 2009, Brits just hopped on a plane with a passport. That was it. No questions asked.
Are you using the correct passport? Present the proper visa at the
Then, someone in Washington decided we needed a “digital pre-check.” The ESTA was born from a program called the Visa Waiver Program.
It’s basically a mutual agreement: “You trust us, we trust you, but let’s see your Facebook history… just kidding. Mostly.”
