US ESTA Application Takes 23 Minutes for 42 Countries

The US government has disclosed that citizens from 42 eligible countries can complete the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application in an average of 23 minutes. ESTA allows travelers to enter the United States without undergoing the full visa application process for short-term visits, including tourism and transit.

The list of eligible countries includes Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Notably, citizens from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa are not eligible and must apply for a US visa through the standard consulate process, which is more time-consuming and requires in-person interviews.