The US Visa Online (ESTA) Eligibility Questions
The US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility questions determine your capability to receive a travel authorization. U.S. immigration authorities are particularly interested in learning whether applicants have ever been refused entry to or deported from the United States.
US Visa Online is an electronic travel authorization or travel permit to visit United States for a period of time upto 90 days and visit these amazing places in United States. International visitors must have a US Visa Online to be able to visit United States many attractions. Foreign citizens can apply for an US Visa Application in a matter of minutes. US Visa Application process is automated, simple, and completely online.
The US Visa Online (ESTA) Eligibility Questions
The US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility questions determine your capability to receive a travel authorization. U.S. immigration authorities are particularly interested in learning whether applicants have ever been refused entry to or deported from the United States, whether they have ever been arrested there, whether they have a criminal record elsewhere, whether they have travelled outside the country in the previous five years, including to countries in Africa or the Middle East, and whether they have ever been involved in an incident.
US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 1 – Physical or Mental Disorders
Do you have a physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict; or do you currently have any of the following diseases (communicable diseases are specified pursuant to section 361(b) of the Public Health Service Act):
- Cholera
- Diphtheria
- Tuberculosis, infectious
- Plague
- Smallpox
- Yellow Fever
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, including Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, Crimean-Congo
- Severe acute respiratory illnesses capable of transmission to other persons and likely to cause mortality.
The first US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility question asks about any physical or mental illnesses the applicant may have. If you have any of the highly contagious bacterial or viral illnesses listed, you must disclose them. They include smallpox, cholera, diphtheria, TB, the plague, and more.
You must also admit to having any mental illnesses or a history of mental illnesses that put your safety or the safety of others in danger. You are no longer deemed to have a mental disorder that would disqualify your US Visa Online (ESTA) application if you are no longer experiencing symptoms that could endanger yourself, other people, or their property.
Additionally, you must disclose on the form whether you use or are addicted to drugs because, in accordance with section 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and section 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A) of the Code of Federal Regulations, you may not be eligible to enter the United States through the Visa Waiver Program.
US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 2 – Criminal History
Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime that resulted in serious damage to property or serious harm to another person or government authority?
The US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility question about criminal convictions is the next task you must complete. Even if you have not been found guilty, the question clearly asks if you have ever been charged with a criminal, found guilty of a crime, or are now facing trial in any nation. The US government wants to make sure that none of the applicants for visas has ever been charged with or found guilty of a crime. As a result, you cannot apply for an US Visa Online (ESTA) if you have been found guilty of a crime, have been charged with one, or are awaiting trial.
US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 3 – Illegal Drug Usage or Possession
Have you ever violated any law related to possessing, using, or distributing illegal drugs?
The possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs is the subject of the third US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility question. If you have ever owned, used, or distributed drugs that are prohibited in your nation, you will be questioned about them. If so, you must respond "yes" to the following query.
US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 4 – Destabilizing Activities
Do you seek to engage in or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage, or genocide?
- The forms of actions that cause instability or harm to other people or a nation are expressly listed in this question. Activities that fit under the following categories must be disclosed:
- The use of violence, threats, or fear to sway a government, individual or other institution is referred to as terrorism.
- Espionage is the illicit acquisition of information from other governments, businesses, people, or other entities through spying on them.
- Sabotage is the act of interfering with someone else's or another entity's operations in an effort to further one's own or another's personal interests.
- Genocide is the murder of members of a specific race, nation, religion, political party, or other groups of people.
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US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 5 – Employment Intentions
Are you currently seeking employment in the United States, or were you previously employed in the United States without prior permission from the U.S. government?
You must state on the application that you are requesting an US Visa Online (ESTA) to work in the United States. There have been cases where people have used US Visa Online (ESTA) to travel to the US for employment interviews. But, at the border with the United States, applicants might be questioned. You will need to assess your circumstances to determine how the question should be appropriately answered. Your US Visa Online (ESTA) application will certainly be rejected if you select "yes." You might ask your prospective employer to do a virtual interview on Zoom or another video platform if you are worried that your application for an US Visa Online (ESTA) will be rejected.
US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 6 – Previous U.S. Entry or Visa Denials
Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa you applied for with your current or previous passport, or have you ever been refused admission to the United States or withdrawn your application for admission at a U.S. port of entry?
The seventh US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility inquiry concerns prior visa rejections. The US government wants to ensure you haven't turned away from the nation for whatever reason. You must select "yes" when prompted whether you know of any prior visa rejections. You will have to give information on the specifics of when and the place the denial took place.
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US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 7 – Overstayers
Have you ever stayed in the United States longer than the admission period granted to you by the U.S. government?
You must mention on the application form if you have ever overstayed a visa or an US Visa Online (ESTA). You are an overstayer if you have ever exceeded your allotted time on a U.S. visa or US Visa Online (ESTA) by even one day. If you respond "yes," it's probable your application will be rejected.
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US Visa Online – ESTA - Eligibility Question 8 – Travel History
Have you traveled to, or been present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011?
This question was added to the US Visa Online (ESTA) application form as a result of the Terrorism Travel Prevention Act of 2015. You must respond "yes" to this question if you have ever visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen. The nation, the dates, and one of the twelve justifications for your trip must also be included. The causes consist of:
- As a tourist (vacation). As a family member (in case of emergency).
- Commercial or business use only.
- Employed full-time by a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
- Serve in the armed forces of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
- Work as a journalist.
- Provide humanitarian assistance for a humanitarian organization or an international non-governmental organization.
- Perform official duties on behalf of an international organization or regional (multilateral or intergovernmental) organization.
- Perform official responsibilities on behalf of a subnational government or organization of a VWP nation.
- Attend an educational facility.
- Attend a seminar or professional exchange.
- Take part in a program for cultural exchange.
- Other
You might be required to show documentation supporting the above-mentioned grounds at the U.S. border of entry. You risk having your US Visa Online (ESTA) application denied if you fail to disclose such prior travel.
Conclusion
It is encouraged for applicants to be truthful in their responses to the US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility questions on the application form. Several of the responses to the US Visa Online (ESTA) eligibility questions on the form are known to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) due to data sharing agreements with U.S. government institutions and other parties. Consequently, the best course of action for US Visa Online (ESTA) candidates is honesty.
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Between now and the end of 2023, the U.S. plans to update its H-1B visa program. Learn more at The US intends to streamline the H-1B visa application process
Check your eligibility for US Visa Online and apply for US Visa Online 72 hours in advance of your flight. British citizens, Spanish citizens, French citizens, Japanese citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for Electronic US Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our US Visa Help Desk for support and guidance.