In your ESTA application, the Point of Contact refers to the person or place you will stay in the US. This information helps US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reach you if necessary during travel.
Who can be your Point of Contact?
- Person: This could be a friend, family member, colleague, or any individual you plan to stay with on your first night. Ensure they know you are listing them as your Point of Contact and are okay with receiving potential communication from CBP.
- Place: If you don’t have a specific person to list, you can enter the details of your first accommodation, such as a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb. Ensure the information is accurate and matches your reservation details.
When choosing your ESTA point of contact, it is important to select someone who is reliable and can be reached during your visit to the United States. You should also ensure that your point of contact is aware of your travel plans and has your contact information.
Our team at Visas for Future can help make your journey to the United States smoother and stress-free with our US ESTA application process service. We know that applying for a US ESTA can be complicated, but we’re here to help. Our team will review your documents and take care of all the necessary steps to submit your application on time. We want to make your travel preparations as easy as possible. Just click the button below to start your application and let us help you get started on your journey.
What We’re Offering
If you want to travel to the United States and are a citizen of countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you need a United States Electronic System For Travel Authorization. Our processing service will give you your US ESTA in your mailbox within 24 hours. This can only be used to travel to the United States for business or pleasure. ESTA only authorizes travel to a U.S. airport, border, or port of entry. Still, admissibility into the United States is determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon arrival.
- Valid for two (2) years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.1
- It is Multiple-entry.
- It costs 46.82.
- ESTA is not a visa.
If you intend to stay in the U.S. for purposes other than those permitted under the Visa Waiver Program or for longer periods, you must apply for US B1/B2 Visa.
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US ESTA Point of Contact: What It Is?
When applying for a US ESTA, you will be asked to provide a point of contact in the US. This person can be a friend, family member, colleague, or any individual you plan to stay with or visit during your trip. It is important to ensure that they know your intention to list them as your point of contact and that you provide their name, address, and phone number to the US authorities. This information will be used to verify your identity and the purpose of your visit to the US.2
Who can be your Point of Contact?
- Trusted Person in the US: This could be a friend, family member, colleague, or anyone you trust who resides in the US and will be available during your visit.
- Organization: If you’re staying at a hotel, attending a conference, or visiting a company, you can list the relevant institution as your POC.
Things to remember about the Point of Contact:
- Entering the POC information is mandatory when applying for ESTA.
- Provide accurate and up-to-date contact details, including full name, phone number, and email address.
- If staying at multiple locations, list the first place of accommodation as the POC.
- Unless it changes, updating the POC for subsequent ESTA applications is unnecessary.
US ESTA Point of Contact is not a mandatory requirement for all travelers, but it is recommended that travelers provide it if possible. If the traveler does not have a specific point of contact in the US, they can enter the name, address, and phone number of the hotel, hostel, or other accommodation where they intend to stay. If travelers do not have a fixed itinerary or accommodation, they can enter “UNKNOWN” in the relevant fields.
Contact Information For the ESTA Program
This refers to the various channels you can use to get help or information about the ESTA program.3 These include:
- ESTA Website: The official source for ESTA information, with FAQs, application instructions, and a contact form.
- CBP Contact Center: Available 24/7 to answer questions about ESTA and other CBP matters.
- U.S. Embassies and Consulates: If you’re outside the US, they can offer information and sometimes help with applications.
What information do I need to provide about my contact in the US for ESTA?
What you put for the US Point of Contact information on your ESTA application depends on who or where you’ll stay on your first night in the United States.4Here are the two options:
1. Person you’re staying with:
- Full name: Enter the full name of the person you’ll be staying with, as written on their ID.
- Address: Provide the complete address of their place of residence, including street address, city, state, and zip code.
- Phone number: Include a local phone number where the person can be reached during your visit. Ensure it’s a number they’re comfortable receiving potential CBP calls on.
2. Accommodation you’ve booked:
- Name of the establishment: Enter the official name of the hotel, hostel, Airbnb, etc., where you’ll be staying.
- Address: Provide the complete address of the establishment, including street address, city, state, and zip code.
- Phone number: Include the main phone number of the establishment.
Purpose of Point of Contact for US ESTA
The Point of Contact (POC) in your US ESTA application serves several important purposes for the US Customs and Border Protection(CBP):3
1. Communication Channel
- The POC acts as a direct line of contact for CBP to reach you during your visit to the US. This is especially helpful if they need to clarify any details about your trip or address questions about your ESTA eligibility.
- CBP might contact your POC to confirm your travel plans or verify your presence at your first night’s accommodation.
2. Emergency Assistance
In case of an emergency, CBP can use the POC’s information to reach someone who knows your whereabouts and can assist them. This could be crucial if you are unable to communicate directly with CBP due to an accident or illness.
3. Verification of Information
CBP occasionally performs random checks on ESTA applicants. Sometimes, this may involve contacting your POC to verify your travel plans and ensure you stay where you indicated.
4. Enhanced Security
Knowing where you’ll be on your first night helps CBP assess potential security risks associated with your visit. It allows them to tailor their monitoring and enforcement efforts more effectively.
5. Travel Smoothness
Providing accurate and current POC information can ultimately contribute to a smoother travel experience for you. You’ll be less likely to encounter delays or complications at the border if CBP can easily reach you or confirm your plans.
Frequently Asked Question
Do I need a US address for ESTA?
You don’t necessarily need a US address for ESTA, but you do need to provide information about where you will be staying on your first night in the US. This information is known as your Point of Contact (POC).
Did US ESTA approve immediately?
The processing time for ESTA applications is 24 hours, but immediate approval is not guaranteed.
Can I apply again if my ESTA is denied?
Yes, you can apply again if your ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application is denied.
Is updating the point of contact information necessary when using a previously obtained ESTA for a new trip?
No, it’s not strictly necessary to update the point of contact information when using a previously obtained ESTA for a new trip as long as your ESTA is still valid and your personal information (name, passport number, citizenship, etc.) remains unchanged.
However, it’s highly recommended to update the point of contact information if any of the following apply:
a. Your contact details have changed.
b. You’re staying at different accommodations.
c. You’re traveling with different people.
d. It’s been a long time since you applied.
- Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application | USAGov. (2023, November 9). Www.usa.gov.Retrieved January 31, 2024.<https://www.usa.gov/visa-waiver-esta> [↩]
- Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (n.d.). Esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024. <https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta> [↩]
- Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (n.d.). Esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Retrieved January 31, 2024.<https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta> [↩] [↩]
- Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs, and Border Protection. (n.d.). Esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2024. <https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta> [↩]
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Written by
Apple Gajes 
Apple is a skilled content writer of Visas For Future who had a bachelor's degree in Education. She does well at producing high-quality visa articles and continuously upgrading her skills by actively engaging herself to various courses and training opportunities. She also contributes to travel forms and visa fulfillment in Turkey and India. Committed to writing exceptional visa articles, she performs real visa orders and provides customer support quarterly to stay abreast of the visa processing process.
Managed by Glen Vidania
Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.
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Gajes, Apple. "US ESTA Point of Contact." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/us-esta-point-of-contact/. Accessed on 16 October 2023.
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Gajes, Apple. "US ESTA Point of Contact." Visas For Future. October 16, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/us-esta-point-of-contact/.