Question 1

Is Visaparo a government authority?

Accepted Answer

No. Visaparo is private. Only CBP issues the ESTA.

Question 2

What exactly do you do for me?

Accepted Answer

We guide you through the details, check them for completeness and obvious errors (Avesta Interactive reviews your details for completeness), submit the application to CBP on your behalf after you order, keep your documents in a password-protected customer account and keep the processing status transparent. Only you answer the eligibility questions (CBP's original English wording with translation); we do not provide legal or immigration advice. The decision on the travel authorization is made solely by the US authority.

Question 3

Who decides on approval?

Accepted Answer

CBP alone. Only CBP can grant an ESTA approval. Our service is meant to help avoid typical application errors and make the process transparent – it does not replace the official procedure. Entry is decided solely by CBP officers on arrival.

Question 4

How long is an ESTA approval valid?

Accepted Answer

An approved ESTA is usually valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Each stay under the Visa Waiver Program is usually limited to 90 days. Multiple entries are common; every entry remains a separate decision at the border.

Question 5

Who can use ESTA?

Accepted Answer

Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries with a biometric passport who travel to the USA for short tourist or business stays (usually up to 90 days) and do not hold a visitor visa. Transit through US airports usually requires an authorization as well.

Question 6

Do I need ESTA just for transit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Anyone changing planes at a US airport under the Visa Waiver Program usually needs an approved ESTA – even if you do not leave the transit area.

Question 7

Do children need their own ESTA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every person, including babies and children, needs their own travel authorization and usually their own biometric passport. You can book additional people on the same trip at a reduced rate as “Additional traveller”.

Question 8

What does the service cost – is the US official fee included?

Accepted Answer

The total price (gross, incl. statutory VAT) is €125.00 (“Standard” package, target: 3 working days), €145.00 (priority check, target: 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays)) or €175.00 (top-priority check, target: 24 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays)). Included: official fee of USD 40.62, which we pay to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). We pay the fee to CBP in our own name (included in the fixed price), and you pay only us. The times are targets, not binding commitments, and do not concern CBP's decision. If you apply yourself at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, our service fee does not apply – you only pay the CBP fee of USD 40.62.

Question 9

How fast is it?

Accepted Answer

You can start the application in a few minutes. Our targets: “Standard” package 3 working days, priority check 48 hours, top-priority check 24 hours. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in Lower Saxony do not count; the period starts with the complete application and receipt of payment. The times are targets, not binding commitments; if we miss the target for the priority check or the top-priority check, we refund the surcharge once per order (Terms § 6). We have no influence on CBP processing time. CBP's official decision often comes within minutes but can take up to 72 hours or longer. Please apply in good time before your trip.

Question 10

What happens if the target for the priority check or the top-priority check is exceeded?

Accepted Answer

Then we refund you the surcharge compared with the “Standard” package once per order (priority check: €20.00, top-priority check: €50.00), regardless of the number of travellers, to the original payment method. The period starts with the complete application and receipt of payment; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in Lower Saxony do not count. It is suspended while we are waiting for your answers to our queries or the official ESTA system is unavailable. The refund covers only the surcharge, not the rest of the total price; your statutory rights remain unaffected (Terms § 6).

Question 11

Which payment methods are available?

Accepted Answer

Payment is made in advance by bank transfer. After your order you receive our bank details and the case number, which you state as the payment reference. We start the review and submission once payment has been received; we charge no extra fees.

Question 12

Can I apply directly with CBP myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes, directly on esta.cbp.dhs.gov for just the CBP fee.

Question 13

What happens if my application is refused?

Accepted Answer

If CBP responds “Travel Not Authorized”, entry under the Visa Waiver Program via ESTA is not possible. A visa from a US embassy may then be the next step. We only prepare ESTA applications – no visas. If we submitted the application to CBP correctly and completely and CBP still refuses it, we do not refund the total price, as it is a fixed price for our service and the official fee we paid. For transparency: according to CBP, only the processing part of the fee is charged on refusal (currently USD 10.62); the total price is not affected. We refund the total price in full if we could not submit the application or an error occurs through our fault (details: Terms § 7).

Question 14

How do you handle my passport data?

Accepted Answer

Documents are not public. Only you and authorized case workers have access. Changes are recorded in the audit log. Details are in the privacy policy.

Question 15

Who is responsible for the accuracy of the details?

Accepted Answer

You are. Name, date of birth, passport details and the answers to the eligibility questions must be exact and truthful; you confirm their accuracy before ordering. We check for completeness and obvious errors but cannot compare every detail with your original document. After submission to CBP, core data such as name, date of birth or passport number usually cannot be changed – a new application with a new fee is then needed. Please check the summary carefully before ordering.

ESTA FAQ: costs, validity, children, transit

Further guides

Apply for a US ESTA – prepare now.