Visa Waiver Program and ESTA
Using ESTA for Visa-Free Travel to the U.S.
Since November 2008, Slovaks have been able to travel to the United States on the Visa Waiver Program. To travel on the Visa Waiver Program, you will need a biometric passport, an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) and your trip must be for 90 days or less. The ESTA application Web site is available in 21 languages, including Slovak, and includes a help section providing information about the application process.
The Visa Waiver Program and ESTA are only for tourist or business travel. If you are traveling to work or study in the U.S., for official business of the Slovak government, or for any other reason besides tourism or business, you may not use ESTA. Instead, you need to apply for a visa before traveling (http://slovakia.usembassy.gov/visas.html). However, if you do already have a valid visa, then you do not need ESTA.
Please note that there is only one official website for ESTA registration: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
There are many other sites on the internet that offer to complete your registration for an additional fee, including some that fraudulently pose as the official ESTA website. You should be aware that there is no advantage to using such websites or having anyone apply for ESTA for you.
Passport Requirements
In June 2009, Slovakia began issuing a newer version of biometric passport. Please note, however, that Slovak travelers can still travel on ANY biometric passport, even older versions. That means Slovaks can travel on any Slovak passport issued after January 2008, from which time all Slovak passports had biometrics. Travelers who got their passports after January 2008 do NOT need to apply for new passports to use the VWP.
Beginning January 20, 2010, travelers to the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program without an approved ESTA will not be allowed to board a U.S.-bound plane.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Do you have a valid visa in an expired passport? If you are going for the same purpose, and you haven’t changed your name or other basic information, then you can travel to the U.S. with two passports: the old one with the valid visa, and the new one, together. Answers to this and other questions about how visas work.