
A scheduled appointment with the Embassy or the consulate is required to obtain a visa, and the applicant needs to complete the non-immigrant visa application prior to their interview with the American Embassy. According to the reason for your visit, there are a variety of visa categories that allow you to visit the United States.
The most famous non-immigrant visas include visitor, work, and student visa as well.
The ESTA Visa can be obtained online in an automated form. There are some requirements for it but, the response is immediate which makes it more convenient, comfortable as well as practical. The ESTA allows bounded possibilities while the application of a Visa is more compliant than an ESTA.
Differences between ESTA authorization and Visa
The ESTA allows the citizens with the visa waiver program to make their short-term stay in the United States. But, to strengthen the border and internal security, the government has to put an online intelligence system to control the movement of the people through ESTA. It looks like a visa but, the nationals of only 37 countries are signatories to the program and can get the ESTA.
However, the travelers are asked to complete an online form called "ESTA" to register with the related authorities controlled by the US government. The approach is therefore intended to be safe as it allows better traceability of the entries into the territory.
ESTA is an immigration control tool that limits the duration of stay. Unlike the Visa, it allows the emigration service to verify who wants to come into the country and for what reason. It is also advisable to apply at least 72 hours in advance but, some requests need further investigations so, it can result in extra delays.
It would be wrong to consider ESTA as the literal substitute for the visa in the United States. The ESTA is set up to reduce the travel barriers for those who wish to make short stays in the territory. It avoids the long and, tedious procedures involved in applying for a visa as well as also avoids the physical confrontation with an agent of the U. S. embassy.
Both ESTA and visa save the travelers’ time on their small stays and clarifies the administrative procedures for immigration authorities. Also, it is not possible to travel to the country without a visa for a long time.
If you are traveling for these reasons, it is better to apply for a Visa in the American Embassy as none of these cases is it recommended to do it by applying for an ESTA.
1. To work - The visitors who intend to be repaid for their work during their stay in the United States are bound to apply for a Visa. Even in the case of the reporter, artist where one needs to be a professional labor.
2. To study - If you are traveling to study in the US, then you must apply for a Visa. Although visas are relatively easy to get for studying, they are extensible and have some advantages that neither the ESTA nor other Visas can offer.
3. Marriage - A travel application through the ESTA neither allow lengthening, renewing and changing the reason of trip and nor modify its status. Therefore, if you are going to get married in the United States, then it is imperative that you do not process your application through ESTA.