Visto n' Visa

Who issues the ESTA?

The ESTA is an official U.S. government system authorizing visa-free travel, issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with thorough analysis and legality.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on March 8, 2026
2 min read
Share

The ESTA is an integral part of the United States Visa Waiver Program and is an electronic system that allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. without the need for a traditional visa for short stays. ESTA authorization is essential for those intending to visit the United States for tourism, business, or transit.

The ESTA is issued by the United States government through the Department of Homeland Security, specifically coordinated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This agency is responsible for reviewing traveler applications, verifying security information, and determining eligibility for entry into the country.

Thus, the approval or denial of the ESTA occurs through an electronic analysis based on the data provided by the applicant. It is very important that interested parties strictly follow U.S. immigration laws and use official channels to apply for the ESTA.

Only resort to official sources, such as the U.S. government website itself, to avoid scams and misleading promises of guaranteed results. Remember that companies claiming to facilitate or speed up the process without transparency may not be aligned with government-recommended practices.

Staying well informed and seeking assistance from specialized and reputable companies can be a good practice, but always with caution and using the official resources available. Compliance with immigration rules is essential to avoid future problems and ensure a smooth trip to the United States.

Learn more about ESTA

Type
Travel authorization (VWP)
Validity
2 years (or until passport expires)
Stay
Up to 90 days
Work
Not permitted
All about ESTA

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

Who issues the ESTA?

The ESTA is an official U.S. government system authorizing visa-free travel, issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with thorough analysis and legality.

Recommended reading about ESTA

More content about ESTA

Trump Gold Card: como funciona o visto de US$ 1 milhão EB-5
Victoria Harper Victoria Harper

Trump Gold Card: How the $1 Million Visa Works

A breakdown of the Gold Card program: requirements, official amounts, comparison with EB-5, current regulatory status, and legal challenges to…