Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application

The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa.

Find out the requirements for ESTA

If you are a citizen of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must meet the eligibility requirements to travel to the U.S. under the program. You will also need authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before beginning your trip. Learn about the VWP and ESTA and if your country participates in the program.

How to request a travel authorization to the U.S. through ESTA

If you find out your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program:

Confirm that your passport meets the program requirements. You must have an electronic passport or “e-Passport” to participate in the VWP. This type of passport includes a chip.

Complete the ESTA application online.

Pay the fees: The total cost is $40.27. Learn about the payment options available to pay ESTA fees.

When you complete and submit the form and processing fee, you will get an ESTA application number. Use that number to check your ESTA application status. It may take up to 72 hours to find out if you are authorized to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.

Each approved ESTA application is generally valid for two years. It also allows multiple visits to the U.S. within that period without having to apply for another travel approval. If your passport expires in less than two years, you will receive an ESTA approval valid until the passport's expiration date.

When you travel to the U.S. for tourism or business under the VWP, you may stay up to 90 days per visit. For stays in the U.S. over 90 days, you must apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate while you are outside the United States. Learn more about how long ESTA is valid.

If you have questions about the ESTA and VWP application process, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) FAQ page.

Other travel documents you will need to enter the U.S.

In addition to your ESTA, you will need to provide these documents to enter the U.S.

Bring a passport from your country of citizenship to enter the U.S. Generally, a visitor’s passport must be valid for six months after the date they plan to exit the U.S. But visitors from some countries just need a valid passport for the length of their stay. Learn which countries are exempt from the six-month passport rule.

You will also need a Form I-94W. Officials at ports of entry issue an electronic Form I-94 which records entry and exit dates into and out of the U.S. Apply for Form I-94 on the official I-94 website.

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