United StatesESTA
Approved travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, for stays of up to 90 days on an ESTA valid two years.
See who can apply for the United States ESTA, the documents you'll need, and how the application works.
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Overview
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, is the United States' online travel permit for citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. It is not a visa: it is an authorisation to board a carrier and request admission to the United States for short stays, screened against security and law-enforcement databases before you travel. An approved ESTA is valid for two years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple trips in that period.
Each visit may last up to 90 days for tourism, business meetings or transit. An ESTA does not authorise paid work, study toward a degree, work as a journalist for a US outlet, or permanent residence, which require the appropriate visa. It links electronically to the passport you apply with, so you must travel on that same passport.
Travellers from the roughly forty VWP countries, including most of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia, are eligible provided they hold a biometric passport. If your country is not in the programme, or you have previously been refused a US visa or removed from the United States, you will usually need a B-1/B-2 visa from a US embassy instead. Your ESTA is prepared in your own language and every answer is checked before it is submitted to US Customs and Border Protection.
At a glance
The key facts for a United States ESTA application.
- Visa type
- ESTA
- What you need
- Your passport
- Validity
- 2 years
- Maximum stay
- 90 days per entry
- Entry type
- Multiple
Who can apply
The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.
Citizens of Visa Waiver Programme countries holding a valid e-passport may apply, and each traveller needs their own ESTA. The authorisation is valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries of up to 90 days each. If you already hold a valid US visa, you travel on that visa rather than an ESTA.
What you'll need
Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.
- Machine-readable e-passport valid for the duration of your stay
- Travel itinerary with your arrival flight and a US contact address
- Email address: your approved ESTA links to your passport electronically, so no printout is required
- Payment card (one all-inclusive price)
Requirements in detail
An ESTA asks for less than a visa, but every detail must match your travel documents exactly. You need a machine-readable biometric passport, the kind with the small chip symbol on the cover, valid for the duration of your stay; the chip is what lets the authorisation link to you electronically, so a non-biometric passport cannot be used. Have your passport number, its issue and expiry dates and country of issue to hand.
You provide basic trip information: your arrival flight or carrier and an address or contact in the United States, where a hotel booking is fine. A short set of eligibility questions covers health, criminal history and any prior US immigration problems; answer them honestly, because an inaccurate answer is a common reason for refusal. There is no photograph requirement for an ESTA, unlike a visa.
Finally, a valid email address receives the decision and a payment card covers one all-inclusive price that includes the government fee and our service fee, with the government portion itemised on your receipt. Check the spelling of your name and your passport number against the passport itself: a single mistyped character is the most frequent avoidable error, and a mismatch at the airport can delay boarding.
Government processing time
What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.
Government processing: US Customs and Border Protection decides in 1 to 72 hours, and most applications are approved within minutes, though some are referred for manual review. When to apply: CBP recommends submitting at least 72 hours before departure, and the best practice is to apply as soon as your trip is booked rather than waiting until the last day. Airlines verify an approved ESTA against your passport at boarding, so an authorisation that is still pending can stop you from boarding even when you arrive at the airport on time. VisitPass review: Standard 1 to 3 business days, Rush 1 business day, Super Rush under 6 hours. The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued once the decision is made.
On arrival
Your approved ESTA is held electronically against your passport, so you do not need to print anything to board; the airline checks your authorisation when you check in. Even so, it is sensible to save a copy of the approval email or your application number in case of a systems issue. Travel on the exact passport you applied with.
An ESTA authorises you to board and to request entry; the final admission decision is made by a Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry, who may ask about your trip, so have your return or onward ticket and your US address ready to show.
Planning your trip
The United States rewards focus. New York and the East Coast cities, the national parks and red-rock canyons of the southwest, California's Pacific coast and wine country, and Miami and Florida's beaches each fill a trip on their own. The Pacific Northwest pairs Seattle and Portland with rainforests, volcanoes and a long Oregon coastline, while Chicago anchors the Midwest with its lakefront, architecture and music. A classic first visit links two or three national parks into one circuit, such as the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce, or Yosemite and the giant sequoias. Distances are vast, so settle on one or two regions and book internal flights early rather than trying to cross the country in a single visit. Late spring and early autumn bring the most comfortable weather across much of the country. The southwest deserts are best from October to April, while summer suits the northern parks and the coasts, and winter opens the ski resorts of the Rockies and the Sierra. Pack layers for the wide temperature swings between desert days and mountain nights, and carry a card rather than cash, which is rarely needed.
One all-inclusive price
One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.
From
$165.00
Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.
The government portion shown is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact all-inclusive price is confirmed at checkout.
How to apply
Three steps from start to approval.
Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.
Questions about this destination
Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.
Is an ESTA a visa?
No. An ESTA is an electronic travel authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program, not a visa. It lets eligible nationals travel to the United States for tourism, business or transit without applying for a visa, for stays of up to 90 days.
How long is an ESTA valid?
An approved ESTA is valid for two years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries. Each individual stay can be up to 90 days; the two-year validity is not a permitted length of stay.
How much does a US ESTA cost?
You pay one all-inclusive price that includes a government fee set by US Customs and Border Protection and our service fee, with the government portion itemised on your receipt. The government fee is paid directly to CBP, while our fee covers the review and submission of your application.
Who needs a US ESTA?
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries who hold a valid e-passport and travel for up to 90 days. Every traveller, including children and infants, needs their own ESTA. Travellers who already hold a valid US visa use that visa instead.
Can I work or study on an ESTA?
No. The Visa Waiver Program covers tourism, business meetings and transit only. Paid work, study or long-term stays require the corresponding US visa, which you apply for at a US embassy or consulate.
When should I apply, and how long does approval take?
US Customs and Border Protection recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure. Most applications are approved within minutes, but some are referred for additional review, so applying early is sensible.
Is VisitPass an official government website?
No. VisitPass is an independent service that reviews and submits your ESTA application to US Customs and Border Protection. We are not affiliated with the US government; the government fee is paid directly to CBP and itemised on your receipt, separate from our service fee.
How long can I stay in the US, and can I extend my stay?
Each entry on an ESTA allows a stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business or transit. The 90 days cannot be extended, and you cannot string together back-to-back trips to live in the United States. If you need to stay longer, apply for the appropriate US visa at an embassy.
Do I need to print my ESTA before I travel?
No. An approved ESTA is held electronically against your passport, so the airline and border officers see it automatically and there is no printout to carry. We still suggest saving a copy of the approval email or your application number so you can check the status if you want to.
Do I need an ESTA for a layover or connection in the US?
Yes. The Visa Waiver Program has no separate transit exemption, so you need an approved ESTA even if you only change planes at a US airport without leaving the transit area. Apply before you travel, exactly as you would for a visit.
What do I need to apply for an ESTA?
A biometric passport valid for your stay, your arrival flight details and a US contact address, a valid email address and a payment card. There is no photo requirement. The eligibility questions about health and immigration history are the part that matters most, so answer them carefully.
What happens if my ESTA is refused?
If an ESTA is not approved it usually means the Visa Waiver Program is not the right route for that trip, for example because of a past US visa refusal or a criminal record, and you would normally apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at a US embassy instead. Where a refusal is outside your control our service fee is refunded; the government fee is paid to the authority and is non-refundable.
Does an approved ESTA mean I will be admitted to the United States?
No. An approved ESTA authorises you to travel to a US port of entry, but the Customs and Border Protection officer there makes the final admission decision. Carry proof of onward or return travel and evidence of your ties at home, and be ready to explain the purpose and length of your visit.
How do I complete the ESTA application?
You answer a single set of questions covering your passport, your contact and travel details, and the eligibility statements about health and immigration history. We guide you through each field in your own language, check your answers for completeness before submission, and send the application to US Customs and Border Protection on your behalf.
Can I apply for my children or family at the same time?
Every traveller needs a separate ESTA, including children and infants, because each authorisation is tied to one passport. You can complete the applications one after another in the same session, and the fees are charged per traveller. Use each person's own passport details exactly as printed when you apply.
Can a dual national use an ESTA?
It depends. Dual nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries usually qualify, but holding citizenship of, or having travelled to, certain designated countries can make a traveller ineligible for an ESTA and require a B-1/B-2 visa instead. Apply with the Visa Waiver Program passport you intend to travel on and answer the eligibility questions honestly.
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United States help desk
Have questions about your ESTA? Email the United States desk and we reply within 24 hours.
usa@visitpass-online.comOther destinations we cover
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Travel authorisations (ETA / ESTA)
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e-Visas
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- Saudi Arabia eVisaLeisure and short business travel to Saudi Arabia on a tourist eVisa valid up to one year with multiple entries.
- Turkey e-VisaVisit Türkiye on an e-Visa, single or multiple entry, valid up to 180 days for tourism and business.
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- Vietnam e-VisaVisit Vietnam on an e-Visa, single or multiple entry, valid up to 90 days for tourism and business.
Arrival cards
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- Singapore SG Arrival CardSingapore SG Arrival Card declaration: your arrival record completed and submitted before you fly. No government fee; you pay only the service fee.
- Thailand TDACThailand TDAC declaration: your arrival card completed and submitted before you fly. No government fee; you pay only the service fee.
More destinations
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- Qatar HayyaTourism, business and stopover travel to Doha and beyond on a Qatar Hayya entry visa for a 30-day stay.
VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.
Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: esta.cbp.dhs.gov