When organizing a trip, you always have to be very well informed about what is needed to enter that country and what is essential to be able to survive in the destination without problems. When traveling with children the responsibility is even greater. Parents are often unaware that special documents are needed if they travel with the smallest of the house and that, for example, they would need an ESTA for minors to enter the United States .
What is the ESTA?
The ESTA is a system developed by the Government of the United States of America that allows citizens of the 38 countries that are part of the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) to enter the country without the need for a visa . This system was approved in January 2009 and, since then, anyone who wants to enter the United States will need, depending on their nationality, a visa or an approved ESTA travel authorization. But what about the children? Minors are no exception and will also need your ESTA authorization to enter the country even if they are accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. There is no minimum age , even the little ones must have it. This document is also mandatory for a simple stopover or transit through the United States.
How to get ESTA authorization for a minor?
To obtain the ESTA authorization of a minor, it will be necessary that the parents or legal guardians request it first. At the time of making the request they will have to specify that they are in charge of one or more children . We recommend that you process the ESTA from a single website and that the entire group do it at the same time, so that the decision of the US authorities will be transmitted at the same time, also avoiding errors.
During the application, you will have to fill out a questionnaire for adults and a slightly different one for minors . Both are available in Spanish and other languages. It is very important to pay attention to the questions and answers so as not to make mistakes. We recommend having the passports of all travelers, including children, at hand to speed up the process.
The resolution of the process can take from one to two weeks and reaches the email address indicated in the form. The ESTA is valid for two years and can be used more than once.
The filing fees are the same regardless of the age of the traveler and at the moment there is no type of discount. In addition, children who need an ESTA authorization will have to have a plane or boat ticket in their name or, at least, be registered on the ticket of the parents or legal guardians .
What documents are required for children?
It is important that the adults accompanying the minor have an ESTA authorization. If the parents or legal guardians have not obtained it, the minor will not be able to travel alone to the United States. It is also mandatory for the child to have their own biometric or electronic passport whose validity covers the entire trip.
The full names and surnames must appear on all documents : in the passport, in the ESTA and in the plane tickets or any other transport ticket. If the name appears incorrectly or is incomplete in any document, it will be necessary to do all the pertinent procedures to have it changed.
In situations in which a minor does not travel with his parents , he will have to present at the border an authorization to leave the territory signed by the parents or legal guardians and a copy of the DNI . The same also applies to children who travel only with their mother or only with their father.
We also recommend bringing a photocopy of the family book or any other official document that proves the child’s bond with the adult who accompanies him.
