Spain is part of the United States Visa Waiver Program, which means that Spanish citizens can avoid a long visa application process by registering with the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The ESTA permits nationals of Spain to travel to the US multiple times during AMERICAN VISA FOR SPANISH CITIZENS its period of validity and stay for up to 90 days at a time.
Spanish citizens can apply online for the ESTA visa waiver as long as they meet all of the requirements.
Do I Need a Visa to Go to the United States from Spain?
Spanish citizens do not need a visa to travel to the United States thanks to the Visa Waiver Program.
However, travelers do need to obtain a US ESTA visa waiver if they plan to enter the United States on a commercial flight or cruise. The process to obtain the ESTA authorization is fast, simple, and only takes a few minutes.
What is the USA ESTA for Spanish Citizens and What Does It Do?
The ESTA is an electronic system through which citizens of eligible countries, such as Spanish passport holders, can apply for permission to travel to the United States.
By keeping a record of the visa-exempt travelers passing in and out of the country, it allows the US to strengthen its security for both citizens and visitors.
The US ESTA was developed in the 2000s as an easier way for travelers from more than thirty countries (including Spain) to enter the United States of America.
Under the ESTA, Spanish nationals may travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit purposes, and may stay in the country for up to 90 days. The ESTA authorization is valid for 2 years, or until the traveler’s Spanish passport expires (whichever comes first).
If a Spanish traveler wishes to stay in the United States for more than 90 days, they must obtain a US visa. Those who are planning to move to the US for other purposes (such as to work or study) need to apply for a different type of visa and should contact the US embassy to learn more about the process.
USA ESTA from Spain Requirements
There are a handful of US ESTA requirements for Spanish citizens. They include the following items:
- A valid Spanish passport, which must be valid on the planned date of arrival in the United States.
- A valid method of payment, such as a credit or debit card, to cover the ESTA fee.
- An active email address, where the approved ESTA will be sent.
Please note that when entering the United States, Spanish travelers must present the passport that was used to complete the application. This is because the ESTA is electronically linked to that passport. If the aforementioned passport is lost, damaged, or stolen, the traveler must reapply for the ESTA and register the details of their new passport.
Application Steps to Obtain the USA ESTA Visa Waiver
Applying for a US ESTA visa waiver for Spanish citizens is a process done AMERICAN VISA for Slovak Citizens entirely online and should only take travelers about 15 minutes to complete.
The application form starts off by asking travelers to fill in some essential details about themselves, including the following:
- First and last name
- Contact information (address, email, phone number, etc.)
- Date of birth
- Nationality
It also requires information about the applicant’s Spanish passport, including the following details:
- Passport number
- Issue date
- Expiry date
The ESTA application form also asks Spanish travelers questions related to security, including about their health and criminal convictions (if any). The responses will be processed through a security database by the US Department of Homeland Security to determine whether the individual can enter the United States on an ESTA visa waiver.
Applicants must provide additional supplementary data, including contact details for the time they will be in the United States, or of their employer in their country of residence.
When completing the application form, it is essential to make sure all the information provided is correct and matches the details of the applicant’s passport. This is because any incorrect data or small errors may result in delays in processing the ESTA, or even a denial of the visa waiver.
How Will I Receive Confirmation of My US ESTA from Spain?
Once the ESTA is approved, the applicant will be notified via the email address that was supplied on the application form. Although the ESTA is usually approved instantly, it may take up to 3 business days (72 hours) in case there are delays or further processing inquiries.
Although travelers entering the United States are not required to present a copy of their ESTA travel authorization, it might be helpful to do so in case it is requested by a member of airline staff.