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ESTA (United States Travel Authorization) for Citizens of Latvia
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This page is available in the following languages:
ENGLISH | LATVIAN |
RUSSIAN |
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Country: Latvia |
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ESTA Required: Yes |
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Latvia is part of the Visa Waiver Program, which enables citizens of Latvia to
travel to the United States without a visa. On January 12, 2009, ESTA (the
Electronic System for Travel
Authorization) became a requirement of the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA is an
application system for all travelers from Visa Waiver Countries, including
Latvia. The Visa Waiver Program has simplified travel to the United States for
millions of visitors by only requiring a machine readable passport. Now, due to
heightened security regulations, the same visitors must apply for a Travel
Authorization (ESTA) in advance. As always, a machine-readable or e-passport
from a Visa Waiver country is still required to gain admittance into the
country. The entire
ESTA application process is
conducted online and operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS).
The Travel Authorization is not a visa. In fact, a person from a non-visa waiver
country should not even attempt to apply for a Travel Authorization. The purpose
of
ESTA is to allow DHS to
pre-screen all Visa Waiver Travelers before they leave their respective
countries. U.S. bound Latvia travelers are recommended to apply for the Travel
Authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure. An approved Travel
Authorization does not guarantee entry, but is a prerequisite to travel to the
United States by air or sea carrier.
Important Facts About ESTA:
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- ESTA (U.S. Travel
Authorization) is not a visa. It is a pre-authorization to board a U.S.-bound
ship or airplane.
- The purpose of ESTA is to let the U.S. government pre-screen all Visa Waiver
Travelers before they leave their respective countries.
- Citizens of one the 37 Visa Waiver Countries (including Latvia) entering the
U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program should apply.
- It is recommended to apply
for ESTA at least 72 hours prior to departure.
- If your ESTA Application is denied, you will be required to apply for a B-1
Visitor Visa or B-2 Tourist Visa.
- An approved ESTA Travel Authorization does not guarantee entry in to the
United States.
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Do citizens of Latvia need to apply for ESTA?
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When should you apply for a United States Travel Authorization?
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- Yes, citizens of Latvia need to apply for ESTA before entering the United
States.
- All travelers that intends to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver
Program via air or sea.
- Any traveler transiting through the United States under the Visa Waiver
Program.
- Children and infants who visit or transit to the United States under the
Visa Waiver Program.
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- Citizens from all of the Visa Waiver countries (including Latvia) must apply
and be approved after January 12, 2009.
- Travelers transiting through the United States must also possess an approved
Travel Authorization.
- If your application for a Travel Authorization is denied, you must apply for
a B-1 Visitor Visa or B-2 Tourist Visa which can take weeks or months.
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Below is an example of the successful confirmation page that you will see on
your computer screen after your ESTA application is approved.
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About ESTA Applications |
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Online
Application
Process |
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Application takes less than 5 minutes |
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Over 99% Approval Rate (Source: DHS) |
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Mandatory Starting on January 12, 2009 |
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Valid for up to 2 Years |
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