Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure require an approved ESTA prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.

This does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling abroad.

An approved ESTA travel authorization is:

• valid for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
• valid for multiple entries into the U.S.; and
• not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP. In all cases, CBP officers make admissibility determinations at our ports of entry.

ESTA Fee: 14 US Dollars

Fee for travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries now required.

• Read our full press release (pdf, 81kb)
• ESTA Fee FAQs
• CBP news release 

More Information

• ESTA Fact Sheet (pdf 274kb) 
• ESTA FAQs

Apply for ESTA: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

ESTA Advisory Statement

VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA and for submitting ESTA applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government.

Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA will not expedite the granting of approval.

If you were Refused an ESTA clearance

If an application for travel authorization is denied and the traveler wishes to continue with the trip, he/she will be required to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For more about visa application procedures, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

More information on "If you were refused an ESTA clearance"