Whether you’re planning a vacation or a short business trip, this guide answers the questions we are most often asked about visa-free travel to the US and applying for what many travelers call an “ESTA visa America.”

ESTA is not a visa. ESTA is an online travel authorization used for travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), and most VWP travelers need ESTA approval before boarding a US-bound flight or sea carrier.

Section A: Who is eligible to travel visa-free with ESTA?

Visa-free travel to the US is only available if you qualify under the VWP. The VWP allows eligible citizens or nationals of designated countries to travel to the US for tourism or qualifying business visitor activities for up to 90 days per visit, provided the traveler has ESTA approval and meets all VWP conditions.

Eligibility starts with nationality. You generally need to be a citizen or national of a VWP country and travel on a compliant e-passport issued by that country. The list of participating countries is set by the US government and can change over time, so it is best practice to check the current list before relying on ESTA.

Eligible VWP countries currently include:

If you are not a national of a VWP country, you generally need a visa for US visitor travel. The relevant starting point for most people is a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa, depending on whether the trip is business or tourism.

Section B: Who cannot use ESTA?

Some travelers cannot use the VWP at all, even if they hold a passport from a VWP country. The main reasons are that the traveler is coming for an activity that the VWP does not cover, or the traveler falls within statutory VWP restrictions linked to travel history or dual nationality.

The VWP does not cover study for academic credit or paid employment in the US. Travelers coming for those purposes generally need a visa that fits the intended activity.

In addition, the US applies specific VWP ineligibility rules linked to travel to certain countries since March 1, 2011 and travel to Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, with limited exceptions in specific diplomatic or military contexts. Separate restrictions also apply to certain dual nationals.

The following travelers are not eligible to use ESTA for VWP travel, subject to limited exceptions:

• Individuals traveling to study for academic credit or to take up paid employment in the US
• Nationals of non-VWP countries
• Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria
• Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011
• Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021

Separate from the VWP rules, ESTA can still be refused based on your individual circumstances, and entry can still be refused at the border. Prior removals, overstays and prior entry refusals are common risk flags. Criminal and medical inadmissibility issues can also be relevant depending on the facts.

For those who cannot travel under the VWP, an application will usually need to be made at a US consulate for an appropriate visa and where applicable, a waiver may also be required to address inadmissibility issues.

Section C: ESTA Application Process, Fees & Timing

ESTA is designed as a pre-travel screening system. The practical focus is accuracy, timing and consistency, because small errors can create outsized problems close to travel, including airline boarding refusals or delays while you try to correct a record.

1. How do I apply for ESTA America?

Applications for ESTA are made either on the official ESTA website or using the official ESTA app. You will be asked a series of questions about your identity, passport and eligibility to travel to the US without a visa.

Each traveler intending to use the VWP needs their own ESTA authorization. This includes children.

2. How much is an ESTA for the USA?

The ESTA application fee is $40.27 per person. The fee is payable at the point of application and applies per ESTA application, not per trip.

Each traveler, including infants and children, needs their own ESTA and the fee is payable for each application.

If your payment card is not in US dollars, the fee will usually be converted into dollars at the exchange rate applied by your card issuer at the time of payment.

3. When should I apply for ESTA?

You need ESTA approval before you travel. Official guidance recommends applying as soon as possible after booking and no later than 72 hours before departure. Many applications come back quickly, but not all do, and last-minute filings can leave you without authorization in time to board.

4. What are the ESTA questions?

The application covers a range of areas relating to the individual applicant and their travel plans. You will be asked questions relating to:

• Personal information
• Passport details
• Eligibility for visa-free travel
• Travel history
• Immigration history
• Current employment information
• Emergency contact information
• Purpose of travel
• Destination information
• Contact person in the US

The section that causes the most confusion relates to eligibility and the security questions. If you answer “yes” to certain eligibility questions, denial becomes much more likely and you may need to explore a visa route instead. See ESTA eligibility questions for a deeper explanation of how those questions are framed and why they matter.

5. Do I need to take proof of ESTA when I travel?

There is no requirement to carry a printed copy of your ESTA authorization because ESTA is an online system accessible to airlines and border authorities. Carrying a copy can still be helpful if an airline check-in agent needs reassurance or if you want a quick reference for your authorization number.

Section D: Traveling under ESTA

ESTA approval is only one part of the travel picture. You still need to travel for a permitted purpose, stay within the 90-day limit and be prepared for border questioning, especially if your travel pattern starts to look like you are living in the US through repeat visits.

1. How long does ESTA America last?

ESTA approval generally lasts for two years or up to the date of your passport’s expiry, whichever is earlier. The validity period is not the same as your permitted stay in the US. Entry under the VWP is limited to a maximum visit of 90 days, and you need to leave the US by the end of that period.

2. How many trips is ESTA valid for?

ESTA is generally valid for multiple entries during the period of validity, provided your details and circumstances remain consistent and each trip qualifies under the VWP. Frequent travel can trigger closer questioning at the border. US officers can look at how long you stay, how often you return and whether your travel pattern is consistent with visitor status.

3. Can I use ESTA to travel to the US for business?

You can rely on ESTA for business visitor travel if the activity fits within what the VWP allows, such as attending meetings, conferences, consultations, trade events and negotiating contracts. ESTA does not allow gainful employment in the US. If your business plans drift into productive work for a US entity, hands-on service delivery or a role that looks like a US job, a work-authorized visa classification is usually required.

4. My ESTA application has been denied, can I still travel to the US?

Non-eligibility for ESTA does not automatically mean you are permanently inadmissible to the US. It usually means you cannot use the VWP and you need to explore a visa application through a US consulate. The right next step depends on why the ESTA was refused and whether there are inadmissibility issues that need a waiver strategy.

If you have been refused an ESTA, take advice to identify the reason for the denial, the cleanest visa option and whether any disclosures or waiver steps are needed. Many travelers also benefit from stepping back and looking at broader visa options if the trip purpose is not genuinely visitor activity.

5. Is ESTA a visa?

No. ESTA is not a visa and it does not guarantee entry into the US. Border officials still decide whether to admit a traveler and for how long, based on the traveler’s purpose, documents and overall admissibility.

6. I already have a US visa, do I still need ESTA authorization?

ESTA is tied to visa-free VWP travel. If you already hold a valid US visa that fits your purpose of travel, ESTA is not required for travel on that visa.

7. Can I apply for ESTA without confirmed travel plans?

You can apply for ESTA without confirmed travel plans. Applying well in advance can reduce last-minute stress, especially where you have any history that could trigger extra scrutiny. You still need to keep your ESTA details accurate and aligned with your passport and travel profile.

Section E: Need Assistance?

If you have a question about ESTA, and your eligiblity to travel visa-free to the US, book a fixed-fee telephone consultation with one of our US attorneys for advice on your circumstances.