Saw a few websites offering to handle my ESTA application for a fee on top of the government cost. Are these actually legitimate or should I only ever use the official CBP site?
It depends on the website! Which one was it?
While it’s recommended to apply through the government official system, sometimes it doesn’t work, or people want some help in the process. Some third-party ESTA offering websites are legit, but check their reviews (e.g., Trustpilot) or credentials before you pay!!
They do charge extra, but I think people who use it don’t mind because they:
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Are uncomfortable with online processes and the ESTA process can be pretty formal/unclear
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Want customer support to help/guide them through questions or steps (with all going on in the US you may want to make sure to do it all correctly)
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Want someone to review their answers for extra confidence
Nothing wrong with it, just your own choice!