USA · ENTRY REQUIREMENTSUNITED STATES · ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Apply for a US Electronic System for Travel Authorization
US Travel Authorization Service. Mandatory entry document for travel to the United States for tourism, transit, or business trips.
Do I Need an ESTA?
Three common situations. Find the one that matches your travel before continuing.
You are visiting for tourism, business, or transit
If you hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country and plan to enter the United States by air or sea for a stay of up to 90 days, you require an ESTA. You are in the right place.
You plan to work, study, or stay longer than 90 days
An ESTA does not authorise paid employment, courses of study, or stays exceeding 90 days. You will require a B-1, B-2, F-1, H, or other visa category from a US embassy or consulate instead.
View visa categories on travel.state.gov →
You are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
US citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) do not require an ESTA. Canadian citizens entering the United States overland are also generally exempt.
No action required
Who Needs to Apply for a US ESTA?
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is required for nationals of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries before travel to the United States. Citizens of countries outside this programme must apply for a non-immigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate.
An applicant is likely eligible if:
- ✓They hold a valid passport from a Visa Waiver Program country listed above.
- ✓The purpose of travel is tourism, business, a family visit, or transit.
- ✓The intended length of stay does not exceed 90 consecutive days per visit.
- ✓They are arriving in the US by air or sea on an approved carrier.
An ESTA is not required if:
- ✕The applicant holds US citizenship or lawful permanent residence (Green Card).
- ✕The applicant already holds a valid US visitor visa (B-1/B-2 or similar).
- ✕The applicant is a Canadian citizen entering the United States by land.
Advantages of Applying Through Our Service
| Service | US Government Portal | Service eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Application accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year | | |
| No registration or user account required |  | |
| Application reviewed by caseworkers before submission | | |
| Free corrections to any field before submission | | |
| Multilingual customer assistance by email | | |
| Alerts for missing or inconsistent information | | |
| Encrypted submission and data handling | | |
| Document recovery in the event of loss | | |
Travelling to the United States
The following information is provided for general guidance to nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who intend to travel to the United States under the ESTA scheme. It does not constitute legal advice. Applicants are advised to consult U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Department of State for authoritative guidance.
Permitted Activities Under the ESTA
The ESTA authorises short visits to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program for the following activities:
- Tourism, leisure, and visits to family or friends
- Business meetings, consultations, and contract negotiation not constituting employment in the United States
- Transit through a US airport en route to a third country
- Medical treatment of limited duration
Paid employment, study, journalism on assignment, and stays exceeding 90 days are not permitted under an ESTA. Travellers intending to undertake these activities must apply for the appropriate visa category at a US embassy or consulate before travel.
Documents Required on Arrival
Border officers at US ports of entry may request supporting documentation in addition to a valid passport and ESTA. Travellers are advised to carry the following:
- Evidence of accommodation arrangements (hotel booking, address of host, or similar).
- A return or onward travel ticket departing within 90 days of arrival.
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support the visit without recourse to public funds.
- Where the purpose of travel is business, an invitation letter from the host organisation.
- For travellers visiting under the Visa Waiver Program for the first time, biometric data may be captured on arrival.
Health Provisions for Visitors
The United States does not operate a universal public healthcare system. Medical costs are the full responsibility of the traveller and can be substantial; a single hospital admission may cost several thousand US dollars.
Visitors are strongly advised to hold comprehensive travel and medical insurance covering the full duration of the stay, with adequate cover for emergency treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
Customs and Prohibited Goods
Travellers are reminded that the United States enforces strict restrictions on the importation of certain goods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates agricultural products, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforces customs controls. Restrictions include but are not limited to: most fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy products; soil and plants; firearms and ammunition; controlled substances; counterfeit goods; and currency or monetary instruments exceeding USD $10,000 (which must be declared). Detailed customs information is published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Climatic Conditions
The United States spans multiple climate zones, from arctic in Alaska to tropical in southern Florida and Hawaii. Weather varies markedly by region and season:
- Spring (March–May): Generally mild, with tornado activity in central states from March to June.
- Summer (June–August): Hot and humid in much of the country, with daily maxima of 25°C to 35°C in most populated areas.
- Autumn (September–November): Cooling temperatures; the Atlantic hurricane season runs through November.
- Winter (December–February): Cold to very cold in northern states; mild in the south and California, with substantial snow in mountain regions.
Visitors are advised to consult the National Weather Service for current forecasts before travel.
Connectivity and Practical Matters
- The United States uses NEMA 1-15 and 5-15 (Type A and B) electrical sockets supplying 120 volts at 60 Hz.
- Mobile network coverage is comprehensive in urban areas; rural coverage may be limited.
- The currency in use is the United States dollar (USD, $). Card payments are widely accepted; tipping of 15–20% is customary in restaurants and for many services.
- Driving in the United States is on the right-hand side of the road. An International Driving Permit is recommended alongside your domestic licence.
- The official language of administration is English; Spanish is widely spoken in many regions.
VALIDITY
2 years, or until passport expiry
PERMITTED STAY
Up to 90 days per entry
MODES OF TRAVEL
By air or sea
ISSUING AUTHORITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- ›Valid passport from a Visa Waiver Program country
- ›A current email address
- ›A debit or credit card for payment
- ›Travel itinerary, where applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a digital pre-travel screening under the Visa Waiver Program, not a visa. It permits visits of up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit. Travellers who intend to work, study, or stay longer than 90 days require a B-1, B-2, F-1, H, or other appropriate visa category from a US embassy or consulate. Nationals of countries that are not part of the Visa Waiver Program also require a visa, regardless of the length or purpose of the trip.
Service eVisa is an independent online platform that assists travellers with their ESTA applications. We review each submission for errors, provide multilingual support, and handle the process on your behalf. Our service is separate from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and charges an additional processing fee for the assistance provided.
Most ESTA applications are approved within 72 hours of submission. In some cases, additional checks may be required, which can extend the processing time. We recommend applying at least 72 hours before your intended travel date, and ideally earlier, to allow for any delays.
Yes. Our multilingual customer support team is available by email to answer questions about the application process, required documents, or the status of your submission. You can reach us through the contact page on our website.
If your ESTA application is refused, we will notify you of the decision and provide guidance on alternative options, such as applying for a visitor visa at a US embassy or consulate. The government fee is non-refundable. Please also note that the service fee covers the review and processing carried out on your behalf and is also non-refundable.
The official U.S. Customs and Border Protection portal requires you to complete the application independently. Service eVisa offers additional support including application review by caseworkers, error correction before submission, multilingual assistance, and dedicated customer support.
Need Help?Our caseworkers provide dedicated assistance for online travel authorization applications. Their role is to simplify the process and help travellers obtain the necessary documentation with confidence.
Please note that Service eVisa is an independent, private agency. It is not connected to any government authority and does not provide legal advice. Travellers may also apply directly through the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.