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ESTA for United States Travel Guide
Available ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) Types
What is ESTA?
Who Needs an ESTA?
Key ESTA Requirements
- Valid Electronic Passport: You must have a valid passport from a Visa Waiver country, and it must be an e-passport with an embedded electronic chip.
- Travel Purpose: Your trip must be for tourism, business, or transit. Activities like short vacations, sightseeing, attending meetings or conferences are allowed. You cannot work, study for credit, or immigrate on an ESTA.
- Length of Stay: Each visit to the U.S. can be up to 90 days maximum. You cannot extend your stay beyond 90 days on an ESTA, and you should have a return or onward ticket showing you plan to leave within that period.
- Individual Authorization: Each traveler needs their own ESTA. This includes minors; parents or guardians can fill out applications for children, but even infants must have an approved ESTA to travel.
- Validity: An approved ESTA is valid for two years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). You can use it for multiple trips to the United States within that validity period, as long as each stay is 90 days or less.
- Timing: It's recommended to apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before your departure. In many cases approval is quick (often within minutes), but it can take up to a couple of days, so don't wait until the last minute.
- Entry Conditions: Having an ESTA allows you to board a flight or ship to the U.S., but it does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, you will go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who will check your documents and ensure you meet the entry requirements.
How to Apply for ESTA
- Fill out the ESTA application form online. You will need to enter personal information (such as your name, birth date, and passport details), travel details, and answer some eligibility questions (related to health, criminal history, and travel background).
- Pay the ESTA application fee using a credit or debit card. The payment is made online at the time of the application.
- Submit your application for processing. In most cases, you will receive a decision within minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours for approval. You can check your ESTA status online using your application number if needed.
- Receive your ESTA approval confirmation. If approved, your ESTA is electronically linked to your passport. You will not receive a physical document, but you should record the ESTA application number or print the confirmation for your records. When you check in for your flight, the airline will verify that you have a valid ESTA on file.
Visiting the United States with an ESTA
- Apply for your ESTA well in advance of your trip (it's best not to wait until the last minute, even though approvals are often quick).
- Carry a copy of your ESTA approval or note the reference number when you travel. While it's electronically linked to your passport, it can be helpful to have proof of your authorization in case you are asked.
- Make sure your passport will remain valid for the entire duration of your stay in the U.S. (ideally, have at least six months' validity on your passport when you travel).
- Have a return or onward ticket available to show immigration officers. They may ask for proof that you intend to leave the U.S. within 90 days.
- Do not overstay your 90-day allowance. Overstaying can lead to complications, including losing eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program in the future. If you need to stay longer, you will have to apply for an appropriate visa next time.
What does a US ESTA look like?
ESTA for United States FAQs
Any traveler from a Visa Waiver Program country who is visiting the United States for tourism, business, or transit (up to 90 days) needs to have an approved ESTA before their trip. This requirement applies to eligible travelers of all ages, including children and infants.
An ESTA is valid for two years from the date of approval (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). It can be used for multiple trips to the USA within that period, but each stay can be no longer than 90 days.
You can apply for an ESTA online by completing the application form on the official ESTA website. The process involves entering your personal and passport information, answering eligibility questions, and paying the required application fee by credit or debit card.
The official ESTA application fee is $21 per person as of 2025. This fee is paid online when you submit your application (note that additional service fees may apply if you use a third-party agent or visa service).
No, an ESTA is not the same as a visa. An ESTA is an electronic travel authorization that allows visa-free entry for short visits (up to 90 days) under the Visa Waiver Program. A traditional U.S. visa, on the other hand, is obtained through a U.S. embassy or consulate and is required for travelers who are not eligible for ESTA or who plan to stay longer or for non-tourist purposes (such as work or study).
If your ESTA application is denied, you will not be able to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. In that case, you must apply for a regular U.S. visitor visa (such as a B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa) through a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to visit the USA.
Apply for Your ESTA Now
Don't wait until the last minute to secure your travel authorization. Use our fast online service to apply for your United States ESTA and get ready for your U.S. trip visa-free.