USA ESTA Requirements for Citizens of the Netherlands

The American visa policy for international visitors details which entry permits are required by different nationalities for various purposes. Dutch visitors typically need to register with the ESTA.

The US Department of Homeland Security introduced the ESTA in 2009 to travel to the United States for short term visits for tourism, business, or transit purposes.

Dutch passport holders are amongst the countries eligible to apply for the ESTA to travel to the US without needing a visa.

The US ESTA for Netherlands citizens is very advantageous compared to the standard visa application process. Dutch applicants can request an ESTA online from the comfort of their own home. They do not need to schedule an appointment at the US embassy in the Hague for an appointment, saving time and money in the process.

The ESTA, once approved, is valid for 2 years. Dutch passport holders holding an American ESTA are allowed multiple entries to the US and are authorized to stay for 90 days with each entry during these 2 years.

The application process for the USA ESTA is very simple, straightforward, and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Dutch applicants will be required to provide the following personal information:

• Full name
• Home address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Emergency contact name
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Citizenship
• Professional occupation

Next, they will have to submit the following passport details:

• Passport number
• Passport issuance date
• Passport expiry date

They will then finalize the questionnaire by answering the following health and security questions:

• Medical history
• Security background
• Any previous visits or stays in the United States of America

Dutch applicants must check all the information is true and accurate before submitting the form. Any mistake or typo could delay the approval or even lead to a denial of the ESTA if there are considerable inconsistencies between the form and the applicant’s documentation.

The American Department of Homeland Security analyzes the applications once they receive them. The evaluation process is very quick and efficient and usually takes up to 2 business days.

Once they confirm that the applicant meets the requirements and the authorization has been approved, they send a confirmation email to the Dutch traveler. The ESTA is then automatically linked to the holder’s passport.

Visitors from the Netherlands are authorized to enter the United States with an ESTA without printing out a copy. The ESTA will be automatically viewed by border officials when the Dutch passport is scanned on arrival. However, it is a good idea to bring a printed copy of the ESTA in case airline staff or border control officers ask to see it.

Dutch visitors should ensure their travel dates comply with their passport’s validity and not stay more than 90 days per visit.

On the occasion where Dutch visitors might need to prolong their stay longer than the period granted, they can request an ESTA renewal. They must bear in mind that this option is only available outside of the US, so to obtain it, they must depart the country before re-entering with their renewed ESTA.