📝 Form Practice 🇺🇸 United States ESTA
Rehearse the official form field by field — guidance and common pitfalls inline. Export your answers as a reference card, then breeze through the real form.
🔒 Practice Mode
This is a practice tool: nothing is submitted anywhere, and your entries stay in this browser only. For the real submission, go to the official website. esta.cbp.dhs.gov
0/20 required fields completed
👥 Travel companions
Save family members' passport details as profile cards and fill the practice form in one tap — the SGAC must be filed per person.
Travel companions
Save family members' passport details as profile cards and fill the practice form in one tap — the SGAC must be filed per person.
No profile cards yet.
🔒 Profiles stay in this browser only — nothing is uploaded.
Account Creation
2 fields
Email Address
email Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter a valid email address that you check regularly. This will be used for all correspondence and to retrieve your application. Use the same email for all travelers in your group if you are applying for multiple people.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Using a rarely-checked email address, missing important updates
- • Typing the email incorrectly, leading to failed account verification
Password
password Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Create a strong password with at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Do not use easily guessable information like birthdates or names. Store it securely as you will need it to check your application status.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Using a weak password that is easy to guess
- • Forgetting the password and being unable to access the application
Passport Information
4 fields
Passport Number
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter the passport number exactly as printed on the biographical page of your passport. It is typically 6-9 alphanumeric characters. Do not include spaces or hyphens. Be careful to distinguish between the letter 'O' and the digit '0', and the letter 'I' and the digit '1'.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Confusing the letter 'O' with the digit '0'
- • Including spaces or hyphens in the passport number
Passport Issuance Date
date Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter the date your passport was issued, in the format MM/DD/YYYY. This is found on the biographical page of your passport. Use the exact date printed, not an approximation.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering the expiration date instead of the issuance date
- • Using the wrong date format (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY)
Passport Expiration Date
date Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter the expiration date of your passport in MM/DD/YYYY format. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in the United States. If your passport expires soon, consider renewing it before applying for ESTA.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering the issuance date instead of the expiration date
- • Not checking that the passport is valid for 6 months beyond the stay
Passport Country of Issuance
select Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Select the country that issued your passport from the dropdown list. This should be the country of your nationality, not necessarily your country of residence. If you have dual citizenship, use the passport you will travel with.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Selecting the country of residence instead of the country of issuance
- • Choosing the wrong country due to similar names or confusion
Personal Information
4 fields
First Name (Given Name)
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter your first name exactly as it appears on your passport. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions. If your name has multiple parts, include all of them as shown on the passport.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Using a nickname instead of the legal name
- • Omitting a middle name that is part of the given name
Last Name (Family Name)
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter your last name exactly as it appears on your passport. If you have a compound surname, include it in full. Do not use initials.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Using initials instead of the full last name
- • Misspelling the last name due to transliteration differences
Date of Birth
date Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. This must match your passport exactly. Use the calendar picker or type it manually, ensuring the year is correct.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering the date in the wrong format (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY)
- • Making a typo in the year, especially for older travelers
Gender
radio Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Select the gender marker that matches your passport. Options are typically 'Male' or 'Female'. If your passport has an 'X' marker, select the option that corresponds to your passport.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Selecting a gender that does not match the passport
- • Leaving the field blank by mistake
Travel Details
3 fields
US Contact Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter the address where you will stay in the United States. This could be a hotel, a friend's or relative's home, or a business address. Include the street address, city, state, and ZIP code. If you are staying at multiple locations, provide the first address of your stay.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering a home address instead of the US address
- • Forgetting to include the ZIP code or entering an incorrect one
Phone Number (US or International)
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter a phone number where you can be reached. If you have a US number, use the format XXX-XXX-XXXX. For international numbers, include the country code. This is used for contact purposes only.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering a number without the country code for international numbers
- • Using a disconnected or incorrect number
Intended Date of Arrival in the US
date Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter the date you plan to arrive in the United States, in MM/DD/YYYY format. This should be your first entry into the US on this trip. If your plans change, you can update this information later, but it should be as accurate as possible.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering the departure date instead of the arrival date
- • Using a date that is too far in the future (more than 90 days)
Eligibility Questions
3 fields
Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance?
radio Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Answer 'Yes' if you have any arrest or conviction for such crimes, even if the record was expunged or sealed. If you answer 'Yes', you will likely be ineligible for ESTA and may need to apply for a visa at a US embassy. Be honest; providing false information can result in permanent ineligibility.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Answering 'No' to hide a past conviction, risking permanent ineligibility
- • Misunderstanding the scope of 'moral turpitude' and answering incorrectly
Have you ever visited Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011?
radio Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Answer 'Yes' if you have traveled to any of these countries on or after March 1, 2011. This includes any visits, even if for tourism or business. If you answer 'Yes', you may still be eligible for ESTA if you are a citizen of a VWP country, but you may need to provide additional details. Be truthful; this information is checked against travel records.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Forgetting a past visit to one of these countries
- • Assuming the question only applies to recent travel
Do you have a communicable disease of public health significance or a physical or mental disorder that may pose a threat to public safety?
radio Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Answer 'Yes' only if you have a condition that is specifically listed by US public health authorities as a communicable disease of public health significance (e.g., tuberculosis, syphilis, etc.) or a disorder that poses a threat. Most common illnesses do not apply. If you are unsure, consult the official guidance or a medical professional.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Answering 'Yes' for a common illness like a cold or flu
- • Answering 'No' when you have a listed condition, risking denial at the border
Review and Confirmation
1 fields
Review All Entries
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Carefully review every field on the summary page. Check that your name, passport number, and dates are exactly as they appear on your passport. Any discrepancy can lead to denial or delays at the border. Use the 'Edit' buttons to correct any errors before proceeding.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Skipping the review and submitting with errors
- • Not checking that the passport number matches exactly
Payment and Submission
3 fields
Payment Method (Credit Card)
select Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Select your credit card type (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover). The fee is $40.27 USD as of 2026. Ensure your card has sufficient funds and is enabled for international transactions. The payment is processed securely on the official website. Note: the ESTA applies only to Visa Waiver Program (VWP) passports; mainland China ordinary passports are not ESTA-eligible and need a B1/B2 visa (USD 185).
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Using a card that is not accepted or has insufficient funds
- • Entering the card number incorrectly, causing payment failure
Card Number
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter your 16-digit credit card number without spaces or hyphens. Double-check the number for accuracy. Do not use a prepaid card that may not be accepted for international transactions.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering spaces or hyphens in the card number
- • Using a card that is expired or not authorized for online payments
Expiration Date and CVV
text Required▸ 💡 Field guide
Enter the card's expiration date (MM/YY) and the 3-digit CVV code on the back of the card (or 4-digit on the front for American Express). These are required for payment processing.
⚠ Common mistakes
- • Entering the CVV incorrectly, especially for American Express
- • Using an expired card or entering the wrong expiration date
This is a practice tool: nothing is submitted anywhere, and your entries stay in this browser only. For the real submission, go to the official website.