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The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 43 countries to enter the United States without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. Travelers can apply for travel authorization and enroll in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program before they enter the United States. This allows them to stay for 90 days or less without the need for a visa.
Whether you’re planning a vacation or a short business trip, if you’re not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, then you will generally need to apply for a visa to enter and legally stay in the United States. If you’re only hoping to see a few sights, visit some friends, or go to a business conference, however, there’s good news: you may be able to enter through the Visa Waiver Program, or VWP.
You can pay for your ESTA online with a credit card or PayPal. The current fee is $14, including a $4 processing fee and a $10 authorization fee. If your ESTA is not approved, you will only be charged the processing fee.
Boundless is not affiliated with or endorsed by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any other government agency. Blank immigration forms with written instructions, including for spousal visas, are available for free at the USCIS website. Use of the Boundless website and its services are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Nothing on this website, including guides, resources, questionnaires, document templates, and software, is legal advice or a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney. Boundless utilizes licensed immigration lawyers to deliver all legal advice. For legal advice specific to your case, please contact our legal team at attorneys@boundless.com or consult with another licensed attorney.
New York, NY, USA - August 1, 2023: Jouned Squared tower of Jersey city is seen to the right of Statue of Liberty on its island under blue cloudscape. Plenty of visitors and more building in back; Shutterstock ID 2464041757; purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles; job: Lonely Planet Online Editorial; client: USA: visa requirements; other: Brian Healy
These hoops include filling out forms, answering a lot of questions and possibly attending an in-person visa-application interview. But don’t let your concerns about the visa process keep you away. With some advance planning, you can be looking out from the top of the Empire State Building or the rim of the Grand Canyon in no time.
Our step-by-step guide to navigating visa requirements for US travel will help you prepare for your trip. Remember that since regulations often change, you should always check the latest updates on the US State Department and US Customs and Border Patrol websites.
If you are a citizen of one of the 40+ countries covered by the USA’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) who plans to stay 90 days or less, you do not need a visa to travel for business or pleasure. Countries covered by the VWP include the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most countries in the European Union.
Even if your visa is waived, you will need a passport as well as authorization pursuant to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – required for all foreign nationals whether they’re arriving by land, sea or air. If you are traveling to the US by plane or boat, you must secure the authorization prior to boarding.
If you’re visiting under the Visa Waiver Program, your passport must be valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay (unless exempt due to a country-specific agreement). It must also be an e-passport (or biometric passport), with an e-chip providing enhanced security and a machine-readable strip on your bio page.
If you are a Canadian with a Canadian passport, you do not need a visa or ESTA authorization to enter the US for stays of less than 90 days. Mexican citizens traveling to the US must have a visa or Border Crossing Card.
Be aware that if you have traveled to or been present in certain countries – including Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Somalia and others – during the time periods set forth in the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, you may not be eligible to travel without a visa.
Once you have applied, you’ll receive one of three responses: “Authorization Approved” (this usually comes within minutes), “Authorization Pending” (you’ll need to check the status within the next 72 hours) or “Travel Not Authorized.” If you receive the last response, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
The US has more than 100 official border crossings with Canada in the north, and almost 50 with Mexico to the south. (Some crossings are open 24 hours, but most are not.) Given the close trading and cultural relationships between the three countries, it’s relatively easy to cross from the USA into either country. But crossing into the US can pose problems if you haven’t got all your documents in order and on you.
US Customs and Border Protection provides current wait times for entry at border checkpoints and airports on its website. As always, have your papers in order, be polite and don’t attempt to make jokes or casual conversation with US border officials.
There are two types of visas for foreign nationals traveling to the USA: nonimmigrant visas for short stays, and immigrant visas for permanent residence. Nonimmigrant visas include visas for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or a combination of the two (B-1/B-2).
With the exception of Canadian citizens and those entering under the Visa Waiver Program, all foreign visitors need to obtain a tourist visa from a US consulate or embassy abroad. Most applicants will need to schedule a personal interview and bring all their relevant documentation with them.
Wait times for interviews vary and often take months. If your application is approved, visa issuance takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. You can check wait times for scheduling interviews at individual embassies and consulates.
ESTA ApplicationYou must complete a DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form and bring its confirmation page to the interview. You’ll also need a recent photo, and you must pay a nonrefundable $185 processing fee. (Be sure to bring your payment receipt to the interview.) In some cases, you may need to pay an additional visa-issuance reciprocity fee.
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