The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a mandatory requirement for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries who want to visit the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days. One of the key pieces of information required on the ESTA application is the US point of contact information—which stumps many travelers and tourists without close ties to the US. So what exactly should you put in this section?
The US point of contact is the person or organization you will be staying with or visiting in the United States. It's a crucial part of the application as it helps the US government verify your travel plans and intentions. That all being said, it's about being as accurate as you can possibly be.
Here's a breakdown of options you can include for each step:
Point of Contact Type
Individual: If you're staying with a friend or family member, select “Individual” and provide their name, address, phone number, and email address. Even if you're only staying with them for some of the trip, this will still be a resource in case there is a need to get in touch with you.
Organization: If you're staying at a hotel, attending a conference, or visiting a company, select “Organization” and provide the name, address, phone number, and email address of the establishment. Pick the hotel that you are spending the most time at, or the hotel that you are first traveling to if there are multiple options for you to pick from.
Address and Phone Number
Complete Address: Make sure to include the full street address, city, state, and zip code. Avoid abbreviations or nicknames for streets or cities.
Valid Phone Number: Provide a phone number where the point of contact can be reached. If it's a landline, include the area code (that's the first three numbers of a phone number in the US, sometimes in brackets). The total length of the number should be 10 digits (not including the +1).
If it's a mobile number, ensure it's a US number (which should also be 10 digits, not including the +1.)
Email Address
Active Email Address: Provide an email address that is regularly checked by the point of contact. This will be used for any communication regarding your ESTA application or travel plans, so just find a publicly available email address for where you're going or whoever you're staying with.
Additional Tips
Acuracy: Double-check all information for accuracy, as any errors could lead to delays or rejection of your ESTA application. A rejection will mean that you have to tick “yes” to rejections in the future which slows everything down again—take your time with this and do it well in advance of your trip.
Relationship: Briefly explain your relationship with the point of contact in the “Relationship” field. For example, “friend,” “family,” “hotel,” or “conference organizer.”
Contact Person: If the point of contact is an organization, provide the name and title of the specific person you'll be in touch with wherever possible.
By providing accurate and complete US point of contact information, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free ESTA application process, allowing you to focus on enjoying your upcoming trip to the United States.
