ESTA for Maltese Citizens

Malta became a member of the Visa Waiver Program in 2008 and as such, citizens of the country are entitled to apply for an ESTA for travel authorization to visit the US for tourism or business.

Benefits of Applying for ESTA for Maltese Citizens

Citizens of Malta are able to enjoy many benefits due to being part of the Visa Waiver Program. Applying for an ESTA as a form of travel authorisation instead of applying for a US Visa is a much easier and simpler process. It is also much quicker to get an ESTA, with no requirement to visit the US Embassy for an interview.

Another of the key benefits of applying for an ESTA is that the ESTA holder is able to visit the US multiple times using the same ESTA, provided that the passport is still valid. Trips to the US are limited to 90 days maximum but any US visits for citizens of Malta that are for tourism, business, medical and transit purposes are covered under the ESTA.

Applying for an ESTA is significantly quicker than applying for a US Visa and typically it can be processed within just 24 hours. However, it is recommended that applicants leave at least 72 hours before they plan to travel to the US when they apply for an ESTA. This should ensure that any issues can be resolved in time for travel.

How Maltese Citizens Can Apply for ESTA

The application process for an ESTA is very easy for Maltese citizens, provided that they have a biometric passport, a valid email address and a card to make the payment with. The online form for the ESTA is very short and usually takes no more than 20 minutes to complete. The applicant will need to provide information including details such as name, address, date of birth and the parent’s details. There is also a section that covers any criminal convictions as well as medical information.

Once the form has been completed it is very important that the applicant checks it over to ensure no mistakes have made. Any mistakes on the application could lead to the application getting declined, therefore it is very important that the information provided is correct.

When the applicant is happy that all the details are correct, they then make the electronic card payment for the application fee and submit their application. The next step will be when they receive an update regarding the status of the application by email.

Required Documents

Maltese citizens need the following in order to be able to apply for ESTA:

Passport Requirements for the American ESTA

To utilize the VWP, all travelers must have an e-passport. An e-Passport is a more secure passport that includes an electronic chip.

This kind of passport is issued by the appropriate passport authority and must fulfill international requirements for safeguarding and preserving information related to the passport and bearer.

Is It Allowed to Change the ESTA Application After It Has Been Submitted?

Yes, it is possible to change certain information in your ESTA application after it has been submitted, as long as the changes are within the allowed categories. This includes the following information:

However, there is information that the applicant cant change. That is personal information such as name, citizenship, or gender - in this case, the only option is to make a new ESTA application.

You can make changes to your ESTA application by visiting the official ESTA website and selecting "Update or Check Status" from the main menu.

How Long Does It Take to Get an ESTA?

On average, the ESTA approval procedure is quite fast, lasting from a few minutes to 24 hours.

However, in certain unusual cases, a further review of the application is necessary, in which case this period is extended and can last up to 72 hours.

How Much in Advance Should Maltese Travelers Apply for the US ESTA?

Maltese travelers are recommended to apply at least 72 hours before the flight, in order to avoid any potential problems.

How Long Is an ESTA Valid?

An ESTA is valid for two years beginning on the date of approval. But, in case that user's passport expires before the two-year period is over, their ESTA will automatically become invalid.

Is It Possible to Extend an ESTA Beyond 90 Days?

No, it is not possible to extend an ESTA beyond the 90 days allowed under the Visa Waiver Program. Each trip to the USA under ESTA cannot exceed 90 days, and the visitor must leave America after this period.

It is important to note that overstaying the allowed period of stay may result in huge consequences, such as being forbidden from entering the US in the future.

Updating Your ESTA: When Do Maltese Travelers Need to Get a New ESTA?

There are several circumstances that may require a new travel authorization:

What to do if ESTA is Declined

If the applicant receives an update to say the application has been declined, they still have the option to resubmit another application if there was an error on the original one. The other alternative is to apply for a US Visa and attend an interview at the US embassy.

US Embassy in Malta

U.S. Embassy Valletta
Ta' Qali National Park
Attard, ATD 4000

Which Maltese Travelers Aren’t Eligible for an ESTA?

There are a few reasons why a Maltese traveler is not eligible to get ESTA:

Differences Between an ESTA Authorisation and US Visa

ESTA is cheaper and easier to get than Visa. Besides, there are a few more, very important differences, here are some of them:

In What Cases Maltese Nationals Can’t Use the VWP (ESTA) and Need a Visa Instead?

In the following situations, Maltese nationals cant use ESTA, and they need visas instead:

Do Dual Citizens of Malta and the United States or Canada Need an ESTA?

Dual Citizens of Malta and the United States or Canada do not need to get an ESTA. All that they have to do is use their USA or Canada passport when entering America.

US ESTA for Minors: Do I Need to Apply on Behalf of My Children?

Children must have their own ESTA to be able to travel to America. Parents may apply on behalf of their kids in the same way as they do for themselves.

If parents go on to trip with more than one child they can submit a group application for all of them.

Is It Allowed to Apply for Your Family or Friends?

Yes, you can apply for your family or friends for the ESTA. There is an option to submit a group or family application for up to 50 people. However, each individual must still meet the requirements for the ESTA and provide their own personal information, including passport details and travel plans. The person submitting the group or family application will also need to provide their own contact information and payment details for the group.

Benefits of ESTA for Maltese Citizens:

I Want to Find Out More About ESTA, What Should I Do?

If you need more information about ESTA, you can visit our ESTA requirements page and check out our comprehensive FAQs.