US ESTA Application
Choose your passport country to check if you qualify for online application.
US ESTA Information
The USA ESTA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt visitors. Travelers of certain nationalities need to register online to have their trip to the United States authorized.
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It was introduced in 2009 by the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The ESTA application form is available for citizens of eligible countries traveling to the United States for tourism, transit, and business purposes.
The ESTA USA is valid for a total of 2 years from the date of issue, and allows multiple entries for a maximum stay of 90 days each time.
Eligible travelers are required to complete the simple ESTA application form online. The form only takes a few minutes to complete with personal and passport information.
Applicants must also answer a few simple questions related to security and health. The ESTA allows the US Department of Homeland Security to pre-screen passengers before traveling.
It is recommended to apply for ESTA when you book your travel to the USA but not less than 72 hours before your departure.
Those eligible to apply for the ESTA Travel Authorization for the United States are able to travel to the United States on short notice. This avoids having to go through the trouble of applying for a traditional visa at an embassy or consulate.
Foreign nationals traveling to the USA for other purposes, such as to work or study, are required to contact a United States Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.
Highlights
Multiple-entry travel authorization
Stay for 90 days with each entry
Valid for 2 years from issue
Valid for entry by air, land or sea
Electronically linked to the passport upon approval
For purposes of tourism, business, or transit
Service fee includes
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Fast processing time
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Expert application review
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Online support 365 days a year
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99% application success rate
ESTA Processing time 1-2 Days
US Government fee 21 USD
Our service fee from 68 USD
- Embassy Registration
- Priority Service (1H)
TOTAL From 89 USD
US ESTA Visa Waiver Requirements
To apply for an ESTA for the United States, visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program must meet certain requirements.
Visitors simply need the following items to successfully register with the ESTA:
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Valid passport from one of the ESTA eligible countries -
Valid credit or debit card to pay the fee -
Current email address
In rare cases, the border control might ask further questions to support the ESTA documents required, such as the accommodation address or emergency contact’s phone and email.
Countries Eligible for United States ESTA
Citizens from the countries listed below are eligible to apply online for an ESTA to enter the United States.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
Our ESTA Application Steps
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Fill out the online application for the ESTA
You can complete the US ESTA application in just a few minutes by providing basic personal, passport, and travel information, and answering a few security and health-related questions.
Before submitting your application, double-check that all of your information is accurate. Don't worry if you do make a mistake; we thoroughly review and confirm all of your information to fix any mistakes that could cause processing to take longer.
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How to confirm payment for the US ESTA?
To pay the US ESTA processing fee, you need to have a valid credit or debit card, as other payment methods are not accepted for the online application.
After entering all of the necessary information on the form, you will be prompted to enter your card details and confirm the payment to submit the ESTA application for processing.
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How can I get my approved ESTA for the USA?
Once approved, a US ESTA is electronically linked to your passport. You must present your passport to board transportation for the US and to enter the United States at border checkpoints.
Although in some cases it may take up to 72 hours, an ESTA authorization is usually approved within 24 hours of the application being submitted.
Frequently asked questions about the ESTA
Familiarize yourself with the United States visa policy
The US visa policy outlines the requirements which a foreign citizen who wishes to visit the United States must meet to obtain a permit to travel to, enter, and remain in the country.
The United States immigration policy is the same for all 50 states, and is similar for certain US territories, such as Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. However, different visa regulations apply to the territories of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
The visa requirements to travel to the USA differ depending on the nationality of the traveler, as well as the intended purpose and duration of the intended stay in the United States.
Travelers of a few nationalities, including Canada, do not require a visa or travel authorization to enter the country, some for a limited period and others for an indefinite stay.
Citizens of 40 additional countries around the world do not need a visa for the United States to stay for short periods in the country. However, they are required to pre-register for an electronic authorization (ESTA) and receive approval before departure. This is mandatory to enter the US at all air, land, and sea border crossings.
This is a quick and easy process that involves filling in a short form online. It can be done from the comfort of the applicant’s own home right here on HandyVisas.
Individuals who are not visa-exempt are required to apply for a United States visa from the nearest US embassy or consulate.
Some nationalities may be required to obtain both a traditional visa from an embassy and register with the US Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) to gain travel authorization to the United States. This is the case with citizens of China.
Find below a comprehensive list of US regulations to travel to the United States from your country of residence.
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The government of the United States implemented the EVUS program in 2016 for Chinese citizens. EVUS stands for Electronic Visa Update System.
Travelers who are registered with EVUS can use the system to update their biographic and employment information on their visitor visa.
The advantage of this is that they do not have to apply for a new visa if their circumstances change. Instead, they can simply use EVUS to amend the details on their existing US visa.
Registration with EVUS is mandatory for Chinese visitors to the US from China.
In order to register for EVUS, the applicant must be a People’s Republic of China (PRC) passport holder in possession of a 10-year B1/B2 visa for the USA.
It is first necessary to obtain a visitor B1/B2 US visa from a US embassy or consulate to submit an EVUS application online. Chinese citizens can be issued any of the following visas:
- B-1 (for business)
- B-2 (for tourism)
- A combined B1/B2 visa if there are varied reasons for the travel
Travelers must then complete the online EVUS application. It takes just a few minutes to enter the necessary personal, passport and travel information. The applicant will then receive an approved EVUS travel authorization linked to their passport.
EVUS is valid for 2 years or until the passport expiry date, whichever comes first. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of the planned stay in the United States.
The EVUS allows the holder to travel multiple times to the United States during its validity.
The EVUS is currently only a requirement for nationals of the PRC, but may be made available to other travelers in the future.
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Of the nationalities who need a visa for the United States, the US visa policy states that citizens of around 150 countries are required to obtain a consular or embassy visa in advance of travel.
Citizens of these countries are required to apply for a visa from a US government diplomatic office, no matter the duration and purpose of the intended visit to the United States.
To apply for an embassy visa for the United States, it is usually necessary to make a visa appointment at a US diplomatic office in the traveler’s country of residence.
Once the visa interview has been confirmed, travelers normally have to print and complete a copy of a US visa application form to bring to the consular appointment.
Applicants must also indicate which type of US visa is required and bring along different supporting documentation. This can vary, depending on the purpose of the intended travel, such as tourism, transit, business, work, study, or for other reasons.
Eligible travelers are advised to submit a US embassy application well in advance of the intended arrival date in the destination country, as it may take up to several weeks or more to process a visa.
Check the list below to find out if you require an embassy visa to travel to the United States for your nationality.
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Cocos Islands
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Martinique
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestinian Territory
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Republic of Cyprus
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Immigrant and Non-Immigrant US visas
Although there are around 180 different types of United States visa, there are only 2 US visa categories: Non-immigrant visa and immigrant visa**.
Non-immigrant visas allow foreign citizens to visit the United States for temporary stays, for purposes such as for tourism or business, to visit family, or to undertake a course of study.
Immigrant visas are issued to those who wish to immigrate to live in the United States. To immigrate to the United States, it is necessary to obtain either an immigrant visa or a dual intent visa compatible for making a permanent resident status application upon arrival in the US.
At the port of entry to the United States, a holder of an immigrant visa is processed for a I-551 permanent residence card, also known as a ‘US Green Card’.
Once this card has been stamped by the U.S Customs and Border protection service, it serves as evidence to allow permanent residence in the US for up to one year.
As per the US immigration policy, all children who enter the United States on either an IR-3 or IH-3 immigrant visa type are automatically granted US citizenship and will be automatically processed for a N-560 certificate of citizenship.
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There are currently very few foreign nationalities that do not need a visa for the United States, nor are they required to obtain an electronic travel authorization to travel to the country.
Some of these nationalities are visa-free for the United States for an unlimited period and are able to work, study, and reside in the country indefinitely without a permit.
Others, including Canadian citizens, do not need a visa to travel to the US under most circumstances and can work under a special simplified procedure. Citizens of Canada are also able to use a NEXUS border protection card to enter the US instead of a passport, or an Enhanced Driver’s License if arriving by land or sea.
However, although US visa-exempt citizens do not need to present a visa at ports of entry to the United States, in some cases they may still be denied admission based on general immigration policy disqualifications such as criminal convictions.
Below you can find a full list of the visa not required countries for the United States.
- American Samoa
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Canada
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Guam
- Marshall Islands
- Palau
- Puerto Rico
- United States Virgin Islands
Other Visa Exemptions for the United States
Apart from the US visa not required nationalities, a foreign passport holder wishing to enter the United States must obtain a visa unless they are:
- Permanent resident of the USA
- Citizen of Canada, including those applying for non-immigrant TN status at the border
- Citizen of one of the 40 countries that are part of the US Visa Waiver Program (they must apply for an ESTA instead)
- In possession of an I-512 "Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States" form
- British Overseas Territories citizen with a connection to Bermuda
- Citizen of the Compact of Free Association states (Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, or Palau)
- British Overseas Territories citizen or a citizen of The Bahamas with a connection to the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, or the Turks and Caicos Islands, under certain conditions.
It is also possible for citizens of Mexico to travel to the United States without a passport or a visa, under limited circumstances. The Mexican citizen must be in possession of a valid Border Crossing Card and intend to spend no more than 72 hours in the US while remaining inside the designated "border zone".
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A travel ban for several nationalities had been introduced by the US government in 2017 and revised in 2018 and 2020. Travelers from banned countries could not obtain visas or travel to the United States.
The ban on entry policy was abolished in 2021. Travelers from the 7 previously banned nationalities (North Korea, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen) are now eligible to apply for a visa to the United States.
However, visa-exempt travelers who visited the following countries lose their ESTA eligibility and must obtain a visa to visit the USA: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen (since March 1, 2011) or Cuba (since January 12, 2021).
This content has been reviewed by
Ekaterina Powell
US Immigration Attorney
Ekaterina Powell is a U.S. attorney licensed in the State of California, working in the area of U.S. immigration law for over 12 years. She has been featured as one of the top immigration lawyers in her state and city several times and has contributed to notable industry publications.