Electronic System
for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of 42 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa by applying for an ESTA authorization, provided by the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States.

ESTA approval authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the United States under the VWP. Private carriers must be a signatory visa waiver program carrier. See list of Signatory Carriers. CBP recommends that you apply for ESTA at the time you book your travel, but no less than 72 hours prior to boarding.

All eligible nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under VWP are required to receive an authorization through ESTA prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or vessel or presenting themselves for admission at a United States land border port of entry. ESTA, or a visa, is also required to transit the United States.

These are the 42 VWP countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Republic of, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands†, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom.

ESTA is not a visa. It does not meet the legal requirements to serve in lieu of a U.S. visa when a visa is required. Travelers that possess a valid U.S. visa may travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose it was issued. Travelers traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for an ESTA. In the same way that a valid visa does not guarantee admission to the United States, an approved ESTA is not a guarantee of admission to the United States.

Approved ESTA applications are valid for a period of two years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and multiple trips to the United States without the traveler having to re-apply for another ESTA. When traveling to the U.S. with the approved ESTA, you may only stay for up to 90 days at a time - and there should be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP Officer does not think you are trying to live here. There is no set requirement for how long you must wait between visits.

Visa Waiver Program Requirements

The Visa Waiver Program, included in the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, came into effect in 2015. This law, among other things, established new eligibility requirements for traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, that is, with the ESTA. These new eligibility requirements do not prevent travel to the United States. Instead, a traveler who does not meet the requirements must obtain a visa to travel to the United States, which generally includes an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, rather than being able to travel with the ESTA.

Passport requirements

Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is restricted to travelers possessing passports with specified security features. Visa Waiver Program requirements are:

The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page
The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.

Personal requirements

The following requirements must be met:

You must not have previously visited these countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, or Cuba (after January 12, 2021).
You must not have a valid Visitor Visa.
You must complete the form at least 72 hours before your trip to the U.S.
You must travel for business or pleasure.
You must be scheduled for a maximum of 90 days or less.

Excluded Categories in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

According to the law, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel to or be admitted to the United States under the VWP without a waiver:

Individuals who have traveled to or been present in certain countries: Citizens of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen at any time on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions). These restrictions aim to strengthen border control and prevent potential threats, thereby ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens and international visitors.
Dual nationals: Citizens of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran, North Korea, or Sudan.

Additionally, as of January 12, 2021, Cuba was designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and was therefore added to the list of these countries.