ESTA & US visa: the complete guide
Citizens of 42 countries — including most of the European Union, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand — can visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, with an online travel authorization called the ESTA. Everyone else needs a visitor visa (B-2) from a US embassy. This guide explains which one you need and how to apply without paying a middleman.
ESTA or visa: which do you need?
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country, tourism or business, under 90 days | ESTA |
| Your stay is longer than 90 days | B-2 visitor visa |
| You have been to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since 2011 (with some exceptions), or are also a national of some of these countries | Visa (ESTA not available) |
| You were refused an ESTA or a visa, or have certain criminal records | Visa |
| You want to study, work or stay with a work-holiday program | The corresponding visa (F-1, J-1, H…) |
Visa Waiver Program members include most EU countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are not), the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Israel and Qatar. Check the current list on the State Department website before applying.
How to apply for an ESTA, step by step
- Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov (or the official “ESTA Mobile” app from US Customs and Border Protection).
- Have your passport ready: it must be an electronic (biometric) passport, valid for your whole stay.
- Fill in your details, address in the US (your first hotel is fine), employment and emergency contact.
- Answer the eligibility questions honestly.
- Pay $40.27 by card. You get an application number: save it.
- Check the status: most applications are authorized within minutes, some take up to 72 hours.
There is no need to print your ESTA: it is linked electronically to your passport. Keep a screenshot in case the airline asks.
The rules people get wrong
- 90 days is the maximum per visit and cannot be extended under the ESTA.
- Trips to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean generally do not reset the 90-day clock; they count toward it.
- A new passport means a new ESTA, even if the old one had time left.
- You need a return or onward ticket out of North America and the nearby islands.
- The ESTA authorizes you to board a plane; the officer at the border decides whether you enter.
At the border
At your first US airport you go through Customs and Border Protection: fingerprints, a photo, and a few questions (the purpose of your trip, how long, where you are staying). Answer simply and have your hotel address and return flight handy. Many airports offer Mobile Passport Control, an app that can speed things up. Then you collect your bags and go through customs, even if you have a connecting flight.
Food is a common issue: declare any meat, fruit, vegetables or plants. Undeclared food can lead to fines.
Passport, ESTA, return flight, insurance and the driving licence if you rent a car: tick them off on our printable documents and entry checklist. Driving rules, and when an International Driving Permit helps, are on our state pages, starting with driving in California.
Questions travellers ask
How much does an ESTA cost?
$40.27 on the official website, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Any site charging more is an intermediary.
How long does an ESTA take to be approved?
Usually a few minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours. Apply as soon as your trip is booked.
How long is an ESTA valid?
Two years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It is valid for multiple trips.
Can I stay more than 90 days with an ESTA?
No. For longer stays you need a B-2 visitor visa, applied for at a US embassy or consulate.
Do I need an ESTA if I am only transiting in the US?
Yes. Even a connection through a US airport requires an ESTA or a visa.
Do I need an ESTA for the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Hawaii?
Yes, foreign visitors need an ESTA or visa for all US states and territories, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026.