ESTA Visa Waiver Program
🇺🇸 United States visas · Tourism
What it is
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) allows nationals of 40+ Visa Waiver Program countries to enter the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a traditional visa.
Key facts
- Category
- Tourism
- Duration
- Up to 90 days per visit; ESTA authorization valid 2 years or until passport expires (no extensions/status changes)
- Processing time
- Most ESTA applications approved within minutes; recommended to apply at least 72 hours before travel
- Maximum validity
- 2 years
- Extendable
- No
- Work allowance
- 0 hours per week
- How to apply
- Online
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (Through 30 Sep 2027)
- USD 21
- Application fee (Operational fee if application denied)
- USD 4
Key requirements
- Citizen/national of a Visa Waiver Program country
- Valid e-passport with electronic chip
- Approved ESTA authorization before boarding
- No disqualifying travel to Iran, Syria, North Korea, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen (since 2011) or Cuba (since 2021)
- Travel limited to tourism, business consultations, short-term training or medical treatment
Working on this visa
VWP travellers enter in visitor status; a temporary visitor for pleasure may not engage in any employment (8 CFR 214.1(e)).
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 1 August 2026.