Trifa Launches ESTA Application Support Service "Entry Procedure Support"

Trifa Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Masatoshi Kana; hereinafter referred to as "the Company") will begin offering "Entry Procedure Support," a support service for applying for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is required for travel to the United States, starting on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. This service automatically reflects basic information such as name and date of birth by photographing a passport with a smartphone, and also supports input in Japanese. It reduces the burden of English input and the risk of input errors in the conventional application process, allowing for smoother ESTA applications.

In addition, we will launch the "Simple Plan*2," which includes entry procedure support at the same price as eSIM usage fees.

*1, *2 The "Simple Plan" is a bundled price for eSIM communication and entry procedure support. The price of the "Simple Plan" varies depending on the destination and data capacity. In addition to this price, the official ESTA application fee to the U.S. government (40.27 USD) will be charged separately.

Background of Development: ESTA Application is "The First Stress of the Trip"

Increasingly Complex ESTA Applications

The application for ESTA, an electronic travel authorization required for short-term travel to the United States, has traditionally been a burdensome process for applicants, with procedures on the official website assuming English input and specifications where errors in answering eligibility questions can lead to immediate rejection.

Furthermore, from 2026 onwards, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expected to gradually implement revisions to the ESTA system. The hurdles for application are expected to increase further in the future, with the potential for mandatory submission of information on previously used social media accounts, biometric data, and detailed information about family members.

Survey Results: The Reality of ESTA Applications

The Company conducted a survey on the reality of ESTA applications for overseas travel targeting 353 individuals who have traveled abroad within the past two years and have experience applying for ESTA.

1 56.4% of ESTA applicants experienced anxiety or difficulties during the application process.

A total of 56.4% of respondents answered that they "often" (16.7%) or "sometimes" (39.7%) experienced anxiety or difficulties when applying for ESTA. Among those who experienced anxiety or difficulties (n=199), specific issues included "charged/almost charged high fees other than the application fee" (49.2%), "anxious about correctly answering many questions in English" (47.7%), and "could not distinguish between the official website and fake sites (unofficial support sites)" (32.7%).

2 70.3% of ESTA applicants responded that the application is "time-consuming."

A total of 70.3% of respondents felt that the ESTA application was "very time-consuming" (21.8%) or "somewhat time-consuming" (48.4%). This highlights the reality that ESTA applications are a significant burden for travelers in their travel preparations.

As such, ESTA applications are one of the major burdens in travel preparations for travelers planning to visit the United States. The Company has been working to build services that remove the hassle and barriers to travel, aiming to realize "a future where travel is done with just a passport and Trifa." Leveraging its expertise in solving communication challenges in destinations through the overseas eSIM app "Trifa," the Company has launched this service to support travelers even in the pre-travel stage.

[Survey Overview]

Survey Name: Survey on the Reality of Airport Experience and Travel Procedures for Overseas Travel

Survey Target: Men and women who have experienced overseas travel (excluding day trips) within the past two years

Valid Responses: 353

Survey Method: Internet survey

Survey Period: April 21-22, 2026

Survey Organization: Neo Marketing Inc.

* The total may not be 100% due to rounding of the second decimal place.

Features of "Entry Procedure Support"

1. Just take a photo of your passport, complete everything in Japanese, and finish the application in as little as 10 minutes*

By scanning your passport with your smartphone camera, basic information such as name and date of birth is automatically reflected in the ESTA application form. Additional information such as address and place of employment can also be entered in Japanese, and the app automatically converts it to English.

This eliminates the need for "accurate English input," which was the biggest hurdle in the traditional ESTA application process, and allows for application completion in as little as approximately 10 minutes*.

* Does not include審査 time by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

2. Unique check function to prevent input errors

Check Item

Content

Passport Expiration Date

Confirms if the expiration date is sufficient for the travel date

Eligibility Question Answers

Provides a Japanese explanation of risks based on answers beforehand

Input Format

Format check for address, phone number, etc.

Missing Required Fields

Notifies of unentered fields before submission

The most serious risk in ESTA applications is rejection due to input errors. This service detects errors before submission through an automatic content check function.

3. Apply for family members and companions all at once (coming soon)

The representative can purchase ESTA applications for the entire group at once, and each member can read their passport and enter information from their own smartphone. The representative does not need to manually enter the passport information of other members.

* This feature is not available at the time of service launch. It is scheduled to be supported soon.

"Entry Procedure Support" Service Overview

Service Name

Entry Procedure Support

Start Date

June 30, 2026

Target Audience

Japanese nationals planning to travel to the United States (eligible for the Visa Waiver Program)

* Currently, only individual applications are supported. Group applications are scheduled to be supported soon.

Required for Application

Passport, selfie, personal information, emergency contact, accommodation in the U.S., employment information (for those with work experience)

[Plan Details]

For eSIM Purchasers

For eSIM Purchasers

For Others

For Others

Simple Plan

Peace of Mind Plan

Simple Plan

Peace of Mind Plan

Price*1

Included in eSIM price*2

3,980 yen

2,980 yen

3,980 yen

Application to U.S. Authorities (including weekends)

Within 72 hours

Within 24 hours

Within 72 hours

Within 24 hours

Notification of Results

◯

◯

◯

◯

Automatic Application Content Check

◯

◯

◯

◯

Renewal Reminder

◯

◯

◯

◯

Confirmation of Application Details by Staff

ー

◯

ー

◯

Full Refund Guarantee in Case of Rejection *3

ー*4

◯

ー*4

◯

*1 This price plan is for application support fees. The official ESTA application fee (40.27 USD) will be charged separately in addition to this price.

*2 The "Simple Plan" is a bundled price for eSIM communication and entry procedure support. The price of the "Simple Plan" varies depending on the destination and data capacity. In addition to this price, the official ESTA application fee to the U.S. government (40.27 USD) will be charged separately.

*3 The scope of coverage includes the application support fee and the official ESTA application fee (40.27 USD). Other travel expenses are not covered.

*4 In the case of the Simple Plan, the official ESTA application fee (40.27 USD) is non-refundable.

Future Prospects

The Company has launched this service starting with support for U.S. travel authorization (ESTA). In the future, we plan to sequentially expand the target destinations to include South Korea (e-Arrival Card), Taiwan (TWAC), and the EU (ETIAS).

Furthermore, we plan to build a system where AI picks up and confirms necessary information for entry procedures for each destination.

Through these initiatives, we aim to realize "a future where travel is done with just a passport and Trifa."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What kind of service is "Entry Procedure Support"?

A. It is a support service that allows for easy application for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), required for travel to the United States, in Japanese. By photographing your passport with your smartphone, basic information such as your name and date of birth is automatically reflected, and additional information such as your address and place of employment can be entered in Japanese. The app automatically converts it to English.

Q. What is the difference compared to applying directly on the official website?

A. This service reduces the "English input" and the "risk of rejection due to input errors" that are a burden to travelers when applying on the official website. It supports smooth applications through automatic passport information reading, Japanese input support, and an automatic check function before submission. The application destination is the official system of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the same level of screening is performed when using this service.

Q. What is ESTA?

A. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization system required for short-term travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, including Japan, must apply for and obtain ESTA approval before arriving in the United States.

Q. How much does it cost? What is included?

A. As a bundled plan for eSIM purchasers, we offer the "Simple Plan (included in eSIM price)" and the "Peace of Mind Plan (1980 yen)." We also offer plans for those who have not purchased an eSIM. The official ESTA application fee to the U.S. government (40.27 USD) will be charged separately in addition to this price.

Q. What payment methods are available?

A. Credit cards and Apple Pay are available. (Coming soon: PayPay, convenience store payment)

Q. How long does it take from application to approval?

A. Input on Trifa is completed in about 10 minutes. CBP screening is expected to be completed within 72 hours.

About the Overseas eSIM App "Trifa"

"Trifa" is an overseas eSIM app available in over 200 countries and regions worldwide. There is no need to rent a WiFi router or swap local SIM cards; you can purchase a data communication plan within the app and use it immediately. It has achieved the No. 1 download count as a domestic travel eSIM app* and is used in a wide range of situations such as overseas travel, business trips, and temporary returns to Japan.

* Download count for domestic "travel eSIM apps" (April 2025 - March 2026, iOS & Android combined, data from AppTweak). Trifa Inc. extracted travel eSIM apps (apps with "eSIM" in their name or description) from the "Travel" category and calculated the download count.

Official Website: https://www.trifa.co/ja

Official Social Media:

LINE: https://lin.ee/Sbbuv0T

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trifa_travel

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trifa_travel

X: https://x.com/trifa_travel

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trifa_travel

About Trifa Inc.

Trifa Inc. is developing business in the travel tech domain, aiming for "a future where travel is done with just a passport and Trifa." Centered around the overseas eSIM app "Trifa," the company provides services not only within Japan but also in the global market.

[Company Profile]

Company Name: Trifa Inc.

Headquarters Location: Gotanda NT Building 4F, 1-18-9 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Masatoshi Kana, Representative Director

Established: November 17, 2020

Corporate Website: https://trifa.co.jp/