US ESTA Information
Reference document covering the scope, eligibility, validity, and application of the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This guidance is provided for general information; applicants should consult U.S. Customs and Border Protection for authoritative interpretation.
Overview of the ESTA
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is the United States' pre-travel screening scheme for nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. It was introduced by the Department of Homeland Security in 2009 to strengthen border security and to bring travel under the Visa Waiver Program in line with comparable schemes operated by Australia, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
An ESTA is not a visa. It does not grant the right to enter the United States; it grants permission to board a US-bound commercial aircraft or vessel, where final admission is determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.
The authorization is digital, electronically linked to the holder's passport. No physical document is issued. Travellers receive an email confirmation following approval, which should be retained for reference but is not required to be presented at the border.
Validity & Permitted Use
| Validity Period | Two years from date of issue, or until passport expiry — whichever occurs first |
| Number of Entries | Unlimited during validity period |
| Maximum Stay per Entry | 90 days (strict) |
| Modes of Travel | Air and sea (on approved carriers) |
| Issuing Authority | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security |
Permitted Activities
- Tourism, leisure, and visits to family or friends
- Business meetings, conferences, consultations, and contract negotiation not constituting employment
- Transit through a US airport or seaport en route to a third country
- Medical treatment of limited duration
Activities Not Permitted
The ESTA does not authorise paid employment in the United States, study (other than incidental short courses), journalism on assignment, performance for pay, permanent residence, or stays exceeding 90 days. Travellers intending to undertake these activities must apply for the appropriate visa category at a US embassy or consulate before travel. Note on the 90-day limit: Unlike some visitor schemes, the 90-day limit under the Visa Waiver Program is a strict statutory maximum and cannot be extended. Travellers requiring a longer stay must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.
Visa Waiver Program Countries
The ESTA is available to nationals of the 42 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens of countries outside the programme must apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate rather than an ESTA.
Exemptions and restrictions: US citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) do not require an ESTA. Canadian citizens are generally exempt under separate provisions when entering by land or sea. Travellers who have visited Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011 are restricted from the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a visa.
Documents & Requirements
To complete an ESTA application, the applicant must hold the following at the time of submission:
- A valid e-passport (machine-readable with embedded biometric chip) from a Visa Waiver Program country listed in Section 3. The passport must remain valid throughout the intended stay in the United States.
- A current email address capable of receiving electronic correspondence.
- A debit or credit card to pay the application fee.
- Where known, the address of accommodation in the United States and the address of an emergency contact.
Applicants under the age of 18 must be supported by an application submitted by a parent, legal guardian, or authorised representative. Group applications are supported for travel parties; however, each traveller requires an individual ESTA approval.
Application Process
The standard process consists of three stages:
- Form completion. The applicant provides biographic details, passport information, travel plans, contact information, employment history, and answers a series of eligibility declarations including questions on criminal history, communicable disease, and prior US immigration breaches.
- Verification and submission. Where the application is lodged through Service eVisa, a caseworker reviews the form for completeness and consistency before submitting it to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Decision. CBP issues a decision typically within minutes of submission. Some applications may take up to 72 hours where additional review is required. The outcome is sent by email to the address provided in the application.
Tracking an Application
Applicants may check the status of a submitted application at any time using the reference number provided in the acknowledgement email. Status enquiries may also be directed to the Service eVisa support team.
Fees & Service Charges
| CBP Government Fee | USD $40 per applicant — comprising USD $4 processing and USD $36 authorization (non-refundable) |
| Service eVisa Standard Fee | From USD $49 per applicant |
| Payment Methods Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover |
| Currency | Pricing is in USD; equivalent amounts in CAD, GBP, and EUR shown at checkout |
The total price of USD $89 per applicant is charged by Service eVisa as a single payment that includes the USD $40 government fee, paid in full to CBP. The Service eVisa fee covers caseworker review, free corrections to any field prior to submission, multilingual support, and document recovery in the event of loss. The full breakdown is itemised on the payment page.
Refusal & Appeals
U.S. Customs and Border Protection may refuse an ESTA application if the applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria, has previously breached US immigration rules, has a criminal record (including for offences that may not be considered crimes in the applicant's home country), or has provided information that conflicts with records held by the Department of Homeland Security.
Where an application is refused, CBP will provide notification by email. There is no formal right of appeal against an ESTA refusal; however, the applicant may:
- Apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa at a US embassy or consulate, which involves a more detailed assessment, an interview, and a separate fee.
- Apply for a waiver of inadmissibility, where the refusal relates to a criminal record or prior immigration breach.
Where an application submitted through Service eVisa is refused, the service fee, which covers the review and processing carried out on your behalf, is non-refundable. The government fee is also non-refundable.