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e-Visa and travel authorisation

United States: The Official ESTA Website and How to Spot Fake Sites

Many websites copy government visa and travel-authorisation sites and charge extra. Here is the official address for United States (Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), Visa Waiver Program), what the government says about copycat sites, and where to report visa fraud, all read on its own pages.

Do this first

  1. Type the official address yourself or follow it from the government or embassy site. Do not use the first search result or an ad.
  2. Compare the web address letter by letter with the official domains below. A site that is not on them is not the government.
  3. Be wary of any site that adds a “service” or “processing” fee, or promises faster approval for extra money.
  4. If you already paid or entered passport and card details, call your bank’s fraud line now.

Official website

Who needs it: Citizens or eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries travelling to the US for business or pleasure for 90 days or less who do not hold a visitor's visa; an e-Passport is required.

Processing time, as published: CBP help article: ESTA 'typically returns an Application Status within 72 hours'; if under review 'A determination will usually be available within 72 hours' (help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1445).

What the government says about fake sites

FTC (federal consumer-protection agency) consumer alert 11 Mar 2026: the only place to apply is esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the official ESTA app; copycat sites 'will likely overcharge you and might not even submit your paperwork'; any site charging more, offering a refund, or taking a different payment method 'isn't the real site' / is a scam. Source: consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/03/how-avoid-scams-while-applying-esta.

Report visa fraud

FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (named in the FTC ESTA alert). State Department fraud page also points to econsumer.gov, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and the Department of Justice for unsolicited email. ESTA questions: CBP Traveler Communications Center 1-202-325-8000 (as printed in the FTC alert, not read on a CBP page).

Checked on the government’s own pages on 30 October 2026. Fees are not listed because they change; read the current fee on the official site. If something has moved, tell us. See every company and portal in Travel and Delivery Scam Help, and report the crime to the police via the cyber agencies directory.