A webinar for the travel trade organized by Visit USA on US border process has recommended that all US-bound passengers download the ESTA app.
The ESTA program allows travellers from 42 countries, including Ireland, to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa for business, leisure, or transit. The ESTA fee is €21 until 30th September 2025, increasing to €40 thereafter, with applications recommended as soon as travel plans are confirmed.
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is available at 55 US ports, including Dublin and Shannon airports, for expedited entry with no cost.
Travellers ineligible for ESTA, such as those who visited countries such as Cuba since March 2011, must apply for a visa via a US embassy.
Brian Blas of US CBP told the webinar: “We are very grateful for all of your efforts to keep travelers informed especially when coming to the United States. We’re recommending that our travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as their travel plans are confirmed.”
“The ESTA mobile app launched two years ago and we at CBP continue to recommend it as the most effective and secure way for travelers to apply for ESTA. The MPC app allows travelers to submit their travel document information, their photo, and their customs declaration securely at no cost to the traveler. Travelers from visa waiver programme countries who are planning to attend these events can use ESTA to enter the US provided their stay is less than 90 days.”
QR code for the Esta app
