Electronic System Travel Authorization for Italians

Introduction

The United States allows citizens of certain countries to enter the U.S. without a visa. Likewise, U.S. citizens can travel to these countries under similar conditions. The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries with an approved ESTA entry into the U.S. without a visa. One such country is Italy.

Are you an Italian without a United States visa? Do you wish to travel to the United States for ninety days or less for business or tourism purposes? Applying for ESTA for Italians under the United States Visa Waiver Program is an option you may want to consider.

This article gives an overview of Electronic System Travel Authorization for Italians. Additionally, it discusses ESTA for Italians and how Electronic System Travel Authorization for Italians can be obtained.

What is an ESTA?

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a computerized system introduced in 2009 to determine the eligibility of travelers who intend to make a trip to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007,” which amended Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), necessitates that the Department of Homeland Security carries out an electronic travel authorization and other measures as a way to boost the Visa Waiver program. It is to ensure security measures against terrorism threats. 

Additionally, it is possible to assess whether such travel poses a security or law enforcement risk. Hence, the electronic system travel Authority is an online application system used by the United States customs and border protection (CBP) to pre-screen intending travelers before they board a United States-bound air or sea carrier.

An ESTA is not a visa and cannot replace a visa where a visa is required. It is valid for only two years after it has been approved and expires if the passport of an ESTA holder expires. The Customs and Border Protection recommends that travelers apply for ESTA 72 hours before departure.

Who Can Apply for ESTA?

Italians traveling to the United States for business or tourism for ninety days or less can apply for an ESTA.

Oh well, not only Italians can apply for ESTA. Individuals who meet the following criteria can also apply for ESTA:

• Individuals from any of the forty countries are a part of the Visa Waiver Program.
• People with a valid passport issued by a participant country of the Visa Waiver Program.
• Individuals who intend to travel to the United States for ninety days. And for any of the purposes permitted under the Visa Waiver Program.
• Those who intend to arrive in the United States through a Visa Waiver signatory carrier.

Under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, specific categories of people are not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The under-listed types are not eligible for ESTA for Italians.

• Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries traveled to or have been in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011. It is important to note that there may be exceptions for travels made to any of the countries no longer eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program if such a trip was for diplomatic or military purposes.
• Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who are also nationals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for an ESTA for Italians?

ESTA for Italian citizens can be gotten by an Italian who fulfills the following eligibility criteria.

• Hold a valid passport issued by the Government of Italy.
• Intend to visit the United States for ninety days or less.
• Travel to the United States via a Visa Waiver signatory carrier for tourism, business, medical, short study, or transit purposes. 
• Not traveled or been in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011.

If, for some reason, you find that you are not eligible to apply for ESTA or wish to immigrate to the USA rather than visit it for 90 days, check out our article on the best ways to immigrate to the USA as an Italian citizen to discover what you need to do.

What is the Procedure for the Application of Electronic System Travel Authorization ESTA for Italians?

A person who intends to apply for Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Italians can do so by filling out the online application form.

On the application form, Italian applicants must fill in their personal information. It will include information about the applicant’s name, family name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender.  

Applicants must also enter their address details, email address, and telephone number on the form. Please include passport information such as passport number, country of issue, issue date, and expiration date in the form. 

Next, candidates will answer questions about their employment, health background, criminal history, and previous travels to the United States. Finally, Italian applicants must agree to the terms and conditions and waiver. It is essential to review the information on the application form, after which applicants will have to pay for the application. 

After the electronic system travel authorization for Italian citizens is approved, an ESTA authorization number will be sent to the applicant’s email address as proof of a successful application. People who apply for ESTA for Italians will receive a copy of the travel authorization when approved in their email. The applicant will receive a refund of their processing fee if their ESTA application is denied.

What are Passport Validity Requirements for Electronic System Travel Authorization for Italians?

A traveler who needs an ESTA for Italians must have an electronic passport. The electronic passport must contain biometric information about the passport holder. The passport must also have a machine-readable section on the biographic page. It is necessary to have a valid passport at the time of applying for the ESTA and at the time of departure from the United States. A traveler must apply for a new ESTA if their passport expires.

What are the Travel Requirements for an ESTA for Italians?

Individuals who travel to the U.S. with an ESTA for Italian citizens cannot stay beyond ninety days. They cannot change their non-immigrant status either. Italians who wish to exceed ninety days in the United States must apply for the appropriate visa based on their travel purpose. If an Italian citizen’s ESTA expires during a U.S. visit, another application for a new ESTA is not necessary. 

ESTA for Italian citizens need only be valid upon arrival in the U.S. Italians with ESTAs are allowed many trips to the U.S. However, the cumulative number of days cannot exceed ninety.

What are the Travel Purposes for Italians to Travel to the U.S. Using ESTA?

Not every travel purpose is permitted under the Visa Waiver Program. People who intend to travel to the United States with an ESTA for Italian citizens must ensure that the purpose is permitted under the Visa Waiver program. 

Travels for tourism, business, medical, short study, or transit are purposes Italian citizens can apply for an ESTA to the United States.

 Examples of travel purposes an ESTA for Italians cannot be applied for are:

• Travels to the United States to study for credit or a degree,
• Travels for employment purposes,
• Travels to work as a foreign press, 
• Travels as permanent residents in the United States.

The purpose for which an Italian intends to travel to the United States with an ESTA must not exceed ninety days. An ESTA is for visits that are ninety days or less.

 How to renew your ESTA visa?

An ESTA holder can renew an ESTA by filling out the online application form as if it is the first time. A holder of an ESTA for Italian citizens may apply for a new travel authorization if the traveler has a new passport issued to him.

An Italian with an ESTA can apply for a new ESTA if the Italian:

• changes their name,
• changes their gender,
•  country of citizenship changes,
• or the circumstances underlying their previous responses to ESTA application questions requiring a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response changes.

Conclusion

Italians without a United States visa can apply for an Electronic System Travel Authorisation (ESTA) for Italians under the Visa Waiver Program. An ESTA is not equal to a United States Visa. Italians who hold a valid United States visa do not need to apply for travel authorization. Italians who wish to stay in the United States beyond ninety days and for purposes other than those allowed under the Visa Waiver Program may apply for a United States Visa.

If you are looking to enter the United States through the visa waiver program, it is important to know your eligibility, application process, and an approximate timeline, which can seem overwhelming. To simplify and speed up the process, we have defined a class of immigration lawyers that you can find in our exclusive LegaMart directory. We offer a range of services in the immigration sector, all in one place.

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