The first step in obtaining a US ESTA for Japanese citizens is to complete the online application form. The application is very straightforward and easy to understand, and will only take 15 minutes of your time.
The application will ask for various pieces of information, which includes the traveler’s personal details, such as their first name and last name; passport information, including the passport number, nationality, date of issue, and date of expiry; and contact information, including their address and email.
During the second part of the application, the form will also contain a couple of questions about the applicant’s previous travels to the United States (if any), their health history, employment, and criminal background.
After the form has been filled in and completed, applicants will need to pay the ESTA application fee with a valid form of payment, such as a debit card or credit card.
Applicants often get their US ESTA approved instantly, and can expect to receive it within 2 business days. In rare cases, it may take a little longer. Some possible causes for delays include high demand, public holidays, or the need for the CBP to do a further background checks.
Although it is not required to do so, we encourage applicants to print out their ESTA email in case the gate agent asks to see it during boarding. However, as the approved ESTA is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport, this is not usually necessary.