Requirements for the ESTA tourist visa waiver in the United States in 2026

If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you do not need a tourist visa to visit the United States for up to 90 days for tourism, business or transit. Instead, you must obtain travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before you board your flight or vessel. ESTA is not a visa — it is a pre-travel screening system managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Applying for ESTA is done entirely online, usually takes only a few minutes, and in most cases receives a decision within minutes to 72 hours. Approval does not guarantee entry into the United States; a CBP officer at the port of entry makes the final admission decision. This guide explains exactly what you need, how to apply, and what to watch out for.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

What this procedure is and what it’s for

ESTA is the mandatory electronic travel authorization required for nationals of the 42 countries currently participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. It allows eligible travelers to visit the United States for up to 90 days per entry for tourism, business meetings, or transit — without obtaining a B-1/B-2 tourist or business visa.

ESTA applies to you if:

• You are a citizen or national of a VWP-participating country (such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others — check the full list at travel.state.gov).
• You are traveling to the United States by air or sea on a carrier that participates in the VWP.
• You intend to stay no longer than 90 days.
• You do not plan to work, study for credit, or engage in activities that require a different visa category.

The official body responsible is U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which operates the ESTA system on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security. Applications are submitted at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — this is the only official government website for ESTA. Third-party websites that charge extra fees to submit your application on your behalf are not affiliated with the U.S. government.

Documents required

Documents required

You do not submit physical documents when applying for ESTA — you enter information from your documents into the online form. However, you must have the following documents available and accurate at the time of application, and you must carry them when you travel:

• A valid e-Passport (biometric passport) from a VWP-participating country — this is mandatory. Standard non-biometric passports are not accepted for VWP travel.
• Your passport number, issue date, and expiration date — your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay (many airlines require it to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date; check with your carrier).
• Your full legal name exactly as it appears in your passport.
• Your date of birth and country of birth.
• Your home address and contact information.
• Your travel itinerary — including your U.S. address or hotel where you will stay (an approximate address is acceptable if not yet confirmed).
• A valid email address — your ESTA authorization will be sent to this address.
• A valid payment method — a credit or debit card to pay the application fee.
• Answers to eligibility questions — you must truthfully answer questions about criminal history, health conditions, prior visa refusals, and travel to certain countries (including Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen after March 1, 2011, or at any time after August 1, 2021 for Cuba). Travel to these countries may make you ineligible for the VWP and require a visa instead.

No apostille, translation, or certified copy is required for the ESTA application itself. However, if a CBP officer at the port of entry asks for supporting documents (such as proof of onward travel or proof of funds), you should be prepared to provide them.

Steps to complete the procedure

Steps to complete the procedure

The entire ESTA application is completed online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. There is no office to visit and no appointment required for the application itself.

1. Go to the official ESTA website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Do not use third-party websites — they are not affiliated with CBP and charge unnecessary fees.
2. Create a new application by selecting “New Application” and then “Individual Application” (or “Group Application” if applying for a family or group).
3. Enter your passport information exactly as it appears in your e-Passport. Any discrepancy can cause your application to be denied or create problems at the border.
4. Complete the personal and travel information sections, including your U.S. point of contact and travel itinerary.
5. Answer all eligibility questions honestly. Providing false information is a federal offense and can result in permanent ineligibility for U.S. travel.
6. Review your application carefully before submitting. Errors cannot easily be corrected after submission.
7. Pay the application fee using a valid credit or debit card.
8. Submit the application and note your application number. Save or print your confirmation.
9. Wait for a decision. Most applications receive one of three responses:
   • Authorization Approved — you may travel.
   • Authorization Pending — check back within 72 hours.
   • Travel Not Authorized — you must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
10. Apply at least 72 hours before your departure, though CBP recommends applying as early as possible — ideally when you book your travel.
11. Carry your approved ESTA confirmation and your e-Passport when you travel. Present your passport to the airline at check-in and to the CBP officer at the U.S. port of entry.

Fees and timelines

Fees and timelines

• Application fee: $21 USD total per applicant. This consists of a $4 processing fee (charged regardless of outcome) and a $17 travel promotion fee (charged only if authorization is approved). Payment is made by credit or debit card on the ESTA website.
• Processing time: Most decisions are issued within minutes. CBP advises allowing up to 72 hours for a final decision. Do not book non-refundable travel until your authorization is approved.
• Validity: An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that 2-year period, you may make multiple trips to the United States without reapplying, as long as each stay does not exceed 90 days.
• Maximum stay per entry: 90 days. ESTA cannot be extended once you are in the United States.
• When to reapply: You must apply for a new ESTA if your current one expires, if you obtain a new passport, if you acquire citizenship in a new country, or if your answers to any of the eligibility questions change.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Using a third-party website instead of the official CBP portal. Many unofficial sites charge $50–$100 or more to submit your ESTA on your behalf. Always apply directly at esta.cbp.dhs.gov for the official $21 fee.
• Entering passport details incorrectly. A single digit wrong in your passport number or a misspelled name can result in denial or delays at the border. Double-check every field against your physical passport before submitting.
• Applying too close to your departure date. Although most decisions come within minutes, some applications are placed in “pending” status for up to 72 hours. Apply well in advance — ideally when you book your travel.
• Not updating your ESTA after a change in circumstances. If you travel to a VWP-restricted country (such as Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Venezuela, or Yemen) after your ESTA is approved, you become ineligible for the VWP and must apply for a visa. Traveling on an ESTA you are no longer eligible for can result in denial of boarding or deportation.
• Assuming ESTA approval guarantees entry. ESTA authorization allows you to board a carrier to the United States, but the final decision on admission is made by a CBP officer at the port of entry. Carry supporting documents such as a return ticket, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I work or study in the United States on an ESTA? No. ESTA is only for tourism, short business visits (such as attending meetings or conferences), and transit. You cannot take up employment, enroll in a degree program, or engage in any activity that requires a different visa category. Doing so is a violation of U.S. immigration law.

What happens if my ESTA application is denied? If your application receives a “Travel Not Authorized” response, you are not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program for that trip. You must apply for a B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. CBP does not provide detailed reasons for ESTA denials.

Do children need their own ESTA? Yes. Every traveler — including infants and children — who is a citizen of a VWP country must have their own individual ESTA authorization. Each child must have their own e-Passport.

Can I extend my stay beyond 90 days? No. ESTA does not allow extensions. If you need to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for the appropriate visa (such as a B-2 tourist visa) before you travel. Overstaying your authorized period of admission can result in a bar on future U.S. travel.

Is my ESTA still valid if I get a new passport? No. If you renew or replace your passport, your existing ESTA is no longer valid, even if it has not yet expired. You must apply for a new ESTA linked to your new passport before you travel.

Summary and next steps

Summary and next steps

To travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you need a valid e-Passport from a VWP-participating country and an approved ESTA authorization obtained at esta.cbp.dhs.gov before departure. The fee is $21 USD, most decisions arrive within minutes, and approval is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires.

Your first concrete step is to confirm that your country is on the VWP list at travel.state.gov, then go directly to the official ESTA portal to begin your application.

Important notice: Immigration requirements, fees, and eligible country lists can change without advance notice. Always verify the most current requirements directly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at cbp.gov or the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov before making travel plans.