ESTA to the United States

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Prepare your passport and fill in our simple online form in 5 minutes

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We will send you your approved ESTA within a few days, without you having to go anywhere!

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On arrival, show your passport and your approved ESTA

What is the ESTA for the United States?

The United States Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a digital document that grants the holder entry into the country. Citizens of the countries included in the US’ Visa Waiver Program (VWP), like the EU member nations or Australia, can opt for this document instead of the traditional visa.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) makes visiting the United States easier for travelers. If you are a citizen of an eligible nationality, you can explore the U.S. for tourism, attend business meetings, or transit through the country with an ESTA instead of a visa.

This program covers all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Plus, it extends to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which even offer additional waivers for more nationalities. American Samoa also has a separate program with its own exemptions, providing more flexibility for travelers.

The ESTA allows you to stay for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes, and is valid for 2 years. Its main advantage is that you can apply for it fully online without the need of going to an embassy.

What are the United States ESTA requirements?

  • Valid passport
  • Email address to receive the approved document

How the ESTA differs from regular visas

The ESTA is not a visa but a travel authorization. It is acquired in a simple process that can be done 100% online and save you a lot of time.

On the other hand, traditional visas are more cumbersome to get because you need to visit the corresponding embassy in person and sit for an interview. They also tend to be more expensive, and they take longer to process.

Who can apply?

Andorra Andorra Australia Australia Austria Austria Belgium Belgium Brunei Brunei Chile Chile Croatia Croatia Czechia Czechia Denmark Denmark Estonia Estonia Finland Finland France France Germany Germany Greece Greece Hungary Hungary Iceland Iceland Ireland Ireland Israel Israel Italy Italy Japan Japan Latvia Latvia Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Lithuania Lithuania Luxembourg Luxembourg Malta Malta Monaco Monaco Netherlands Netherlands New Zealand New Zealand Norway Norway Poland Poland Portugal Portugal Qatar Qatar San Marino San Marino Singapore Singapore Slovakia Slovakia Slovenia Slovenia South Korea South Korea Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Taiwan Taiwan United Kingdom United Kingdom

Regardless of your nationality, you cannot apply for an ESTA if you were in the following countries on or after March 2011:
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Libya
  • North Korea
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen
This is also the case if you traveled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.

Conditions for ESTA holders

  • You are a citizen or national of a Visa Waiver Program country
  • You are currently not in possession of a visitor's visa
  • Your trip is for 90 days or less
  • You plan to travel to the United States for business or pleasure

How long can you stay in the United States with an ESTA?

With this authorization, you can stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days. It has a validity of two years and you have the option of multiple entries. This means that you can enter and leave the US as many times as desired during those 2 years, but you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days each time.

Remember that if your passport expires before the 2 years are up, the ESTA will become invalid and you will need to reapply once you have a new passport.

How much does the ESTA for United States cost?

The final price of the ESTA will depend on the type of processing you choose:
  • ESTA: 55 USD
  • ESTA (Urgent in 24h): 78 USD

These prices include our 34 USD service fee, or 57 USD if you select the urgent ESTA. These fees cover 24/7 customer service and a full review by our experts ensuring the success of your application.

Processing time

The ESTA application is usually processed in 3 days, but we recommend applying one week before your trip in case additional information is needed.

Factors affecting ESTA processing times

The most common factors than can affect the processing times of your application are:
  • Incomplete information
  • Typos or incorrect details
  • Peak travel seasons
  • Mismatch between passport and application details
With Visagov, you can be sure to minimize the risk of errors and have your application processed as soon as possible.

Check the status of your ESTA application

You can always check the status of your application here simply by entering your order ID.

FAQs

Can you work on an ESTA in USA?
The ESTA does not allow you to work in the United States since it is used for short stays in the country.
What to do if your ESTA expires?
If your ESTA expires, you will need to apply for a new one. Since it cannot be renewed, you will need to start a new application.
Can you extend your stay with ESTA?
No, you cannot extend your stay. The maximum is 90 days.