If you’re planning a trip to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, completing the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application is a must. One field that often confuses travelers is the “ESTA US point of contact information” section. What does it mean? Who should you list? What if you don’t know anyone in the U.S.?
In this detailed travel guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the ESTA US point of contact information, how to complete this part of the form accurately, and why it matters for your trip to America.
When applying for an ESTA for travel to the USA, one section of the online form asks for your US point of contact information. This refers to the person, organization, or place you’ll be in contact with or staying with while in the United States.
This information helps U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) know where to reach you during your stay and adds another layer of security verification.
You’ll be asked to provide:
The ESTA US point of contact information can refer to many different types of people or organizations, depending on the purpose of your trip. Here are acceptable options:
✅ A friend or family member you’ll visit
✅ A hotel or resort where you’ll stay
✅ A tour company organizing your travel
✅ A business associate or host if it’s a work-related trip
✅ University or school if traveling for academic purposes
If you are traveling purely for tourism and staying in hotels, you can use the hotel’s information as your point of contact.
Don’t worry—if you don’t personally know anyone in the U.S., you can still apply for an ESTA. You can enter “UNKNOWN” in the name field of the ESTA US point of contact section. For the address, use the hotel or accommodation where you plan to stay.
This is completely acceptable for tourists and visitors who:
Just make sure to include accurate address and contact details of at least one of your accommodations.
The ESTA US point of contact information helps border agents:
Incomplete or inaccurate information could delay your application or lead to further questioning upon arrival in the U.S.
Here’s a simple step-by-step example for how to fill out the ESTA US point of contact information if you’re staying in a hotel:
If you don’t have a contact:
Besides the ESTA US point of contact information, you’ll also need to provide:
Make sure all information is accurate and consistent with your travel documents.
Once approved, your ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first. During this time, you can enter the U.S. multiple times for stays up to 90 days.
But remember: if your travel plans or point of contact changes after approval, you can update some fields in your ESTA before travel. However, key personal details like your passport number cannot be changed—you would need a new ESTA application in that case.
QuestionAnswerIs point of contact required?Yes, but “UNKNOWN” is acceptable in some casesCan I list a hotel?YesWhat if I don’t know anyone in the U.S.?Enter “UNKNOWN” and include accommodation detailsCan I leave it blank?No—provide at least hotel or tour infoDoes it affect my approval?Only if information is clearly false or missing
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