Planning a trip to the United States can be exciting, but understanding whether you need a visa or an ESTA is an important part of preparing for your journey. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, commonly known as ESTA, allows eligible travelers from countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States without obtaining a traditional visitor visa for qualifying short trips.
Not every country is part of the Visa Waiver Program, and being a citizen of a participating country does not automatically guarantee ESTA approval. Travelers must also satisfy other eligibility requirements relating to their passport, travel purpose, previous travel history, and immigration circumstances.
This guide explains which countries can apply for ESTA USA, who may use the Visa Waiver Program, how ESTA works, and what travelers should know before planning a trip to the United States.
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an electronic travel authorization system used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for travelers who intend to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
ESTA is not a traditional U.S. visa. Instead, it is a travel authorization that allows eligible citizens and nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries to seek admission to the United States for permitted short-term visits.
The Visa Waiver Program generally allows qualifying travelers to visit the United States for tourism or business for stays of up to 90 days without obtaining a visitor visa.
Typical eligible travel purposes include:
Vacation and tourism
Visiting friends or relatives
Certain business activities
Attending professional conferences
Attending business meetings
Negotiating contracts
Certain short recreational courses
Certain medical treatment
Transit through the United States
An approved ESTA allows an eligible traveler to board a U.S.-bound air or sea carrier and travel to a U.S. port of entry. It does not, however, guarantee admission into the United States. Admission is ultimately determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers when the traveler arrives.
Citizens and nationals of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program may be eligible to apply for ESTA.
The current Visa Waiver Program participating countries include:
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Australia
Brunei
Japan
New Zealand
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan
Israel
Qatar
Chile
This list represents the countries and territories designated for participation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Program eligibility can change, so travelers should verify their eligibility before making arrangements.
For convenience, the countries currently included in the Visa Waiver Program are:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
The United States currently has 42 designated Visa Waiver Program participants, including Taiwan under the applicable U.S. legal framework.
Yes, eligible British citizens can use ESTA when traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
However, the rules concerning the United Kingdom are more specific than simply holding a document associated with the UK. For VWP purposes, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
Travelers with other types of British nationality should carefully check whether their nationality qualifies before relying on ESTA.
This is particularly important because British Overseas Territories citizenship, British Overseas citizenship, British protected person status, and other British nationality categories are not necessarily treated in the same way as British citizenship for VWP purposes.
Yes. Australia is a Visa Waiver Program country.
Australian citizens who meet the other VWP requirements may apply for ESTA before traveling to the United States for a qualifying short-term visit.
ESTA can be useful for Australian travelers taking vacations in destinations such as:
New York City
Los Angeles
Miami
Orlando
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Honolulu
Chicago
Washington, D.C.
Boston
An ESTA does not replace the requirement to comply with U.S. entry rules. Travelers should make sure their passport and travel circumstances meet all applicable requirements.
Canadian citizens generally do not need ESTA for ordinary travel to the United States.
Canada is not a Visa Waiver Program country because Canadian citizens generally have separate arrangements governing travel to the United States.
Therefore, a Canadian citizen should not assume that an ESTA application is necessary simply because they are traveling by air to the United States.
Different rules can apply to particular immigration statuses, nationalities, or purposes of travel, so travelers with unusual circumstances should verify the applicable U.S. requirements.
Mexico is not currently a Visa Waiver Program country.
Therefore, Mexican citizens generally cannot use ESTA as a substitute for a U.S. visitor visa.
Travelers who are Mexican citizens should determine which U.S. visa or other travel authorization applies to their specific circumstances.
Simply living in a VWP country does not automatically make someone eligible for ESTA. ESTA eligibility is generally connected to nationality and the passport being used for travel.
India is not currently a Visa Waiver Program country.
Consequently, Indian citizens generally cannot travel to the United States using ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program.
A traveler holding an Indian passport should investigate the appropriate U.S. visa category based on the purpose and circumstances of the planned trip.
South Africa is not currently included in the Visa Waiver Program.
South African passport holders therefore generally cannot use ESTA to travel to the United States under the VWP.
Being located in a country that has a close relationship with the United States does not by itself create ESTA eligibility. The traveler's nationality and passport must meet the applicable requirements.
Mauritius is not currently a Visa Waiver Program country.
Therefore, a traveler holding a Mauritian passport generally cannot use ESTA to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
This distinction is important for travelers who may live in, work in, or hold residence permits for another country. Residence in a VWP country does not normally make a person eligible for ESTA if they are traveling on a passport from a non-VWP country.
For example, a Mauritian citizen living in France does not automatically become ESTA-eligible merely because they reside in France.
Yes. Singapore is a Visa Waiver Program country.
Eligible Singaporean citizens may apply for ESTA when planning qualifying short-term tourism or business travel to the United States.
The same general VWP requirements apply, including the requirement to travel with an appropriate passport and meet the relevant eligibility conditions.
Yes. Japan participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Eligible Japanese citizens may apply for ESTA for qualifying short-term trips to the United States.
Travelers should ensure that their passport information is entered accurately and that their travel purpose falls within the activities permitted under the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. South Korea is a Visa Waiver Program participant.
South Korean citizens who meet the applicable requirements may apply for ESTA before traveling to the United States.
ESTA can be used for qualifying tourism, business, and transit travel, subject to the rules of the VWP.
Yes. New Zealand is included in the Visa Waiver Program.
Eligible New Zealand citizens may apply for ESTA for qualifying short visits to the United States.
As with travelers from other VWP countries, an ESTA approval is not the same as a guarantee of admission. The traveler must still satisfy U.S. entry requirements when arriving at the port of entry.
Yes. Qatar is currently a Visa Waiver Program country.
Qatari citizens who satisfy the other eligibility requirements may apply for ESTA for qualifying trips to the United States.
Qatar's participation means that eligible Qatari passport holders may potentially use the VWP rather than applying for a traditional visitor visa for qualifying travel.
Yes. Israel is included in the Visa Waiver Program.
Eligible Israeli citizens may apply for ESTA before qualifying travel to the United States.
However, ESTA eligibility can be affected by factors beyond nationality, including certain dual-nationality circumstances and travel history.
Yes. Chile participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Eligible Chilean citizens may use ESTA for qualifying short-term trips to the United States.
The program can therefore provide a simpler alternative to applying for a conventional U.S. visitor visa when all VWP requirements are satisfied.
Being a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country is only one part of ESTA eligibility.
Travelers generally need to satisfy several requirements.
The traveler must generally be a citizen or national of a designated Visa Waiver Program country.
Having a residence permit in a VWP country is not normally enough.
For example, a citizen of a non-VWP country who lives permanently in Germany does not automatically qualify for ESTA simply because Germany participates in the program.
VWP travelers generally need to travel using an electronic passport that meets the applicable U.S. passport requirements.
Travelers should check the passport they intend to use before submitting their ESTA application.
The name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and other information entered into the ESTA application should correspond accurately with the traveler's passport.
The Visa Waiver Program is designed for short visits.
A VWP traveler may generally be admitted for a maximum period of 90 days.
The program is not intended for people who want to remain in the United States indefinitely or use repeated short trips to establish long-term residence.
ESTA is intended for qualifying tourism and business activities.
Examples include:
Holidays
Sightseeing
Visiting family
Visiting friends
Certain business meetings
Business consultations
Professional conferences
Contract negotiations
Certain medical visits
Transit
ESTA cannot generally be used for employment in the United States.
It is also not intended for ordinary degree study or other activities requiring a different immigration status.
ESTA applicants are asked questions concerning eligibility, immigration history, travel history, and other circumstances.
Providing inaccurate information can create serious problems.
Travelers should answer every application question honestly and carefully.
No.
Citizenship in a Visa Waiver Program country does not guarantee ESTA approval.
The United States can determine that an individual is not eligible to travel under the VWP based on various factors.
For example, certain travel histories and dual-nationality circumstances can affect eligibility.
One particularly important set of rules concerns travel to certain countries.
Under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, certain travelers who have traveled to or been present in specified countries may no longer be eligible to use the VWP, subject to limited exceptions.
The countries covered by these restrictions include:
North Korea
Iran
Iraq
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Yemen
There is also a separate restriction relating to travel to Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, subject to limited exceptions.
These rules can be particularly important for frequent international travelers.
For example, a person who is a citizen of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, or another VWP country should not assume that their nationality alone guarantees ESTA eligibility.
Travel history needs to be considered as well.
Dual nationality can make ESTA eligibility more complicated.
A person may be a citizen of a VWP country while also holding citizenship of another country.
Certain dual-nationality combinations can make a traveler ineligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
Therefore, travelers with more than one nationality should carefully review the ESTA eligibility questions rather than assuming that one qualifying passport automatically makes them eligible.
When traveling under ESTA, the traveler must use the passport associated with the approved ESTA application.
If a traveler obtains a new passport, changes relevant passport information, or changes nationality circumstances, they may need a new ESTA.
It is therefore important to make sure that the passport used for the application is the same passport intended for the U.S. journey.
Yes. Eligible children and other minors from VWP countries can travel under the Visa Waiver Program when they meet the applicable requirements.
Each traveler generally needs their own ESTA.
Parents and guardians should therefore avoid assuming that an adult's ESTA automatically covers children traveling with them.
Families should check the passport and ESTA status of every traveler before departure.
A family traveling from a VWP country might include:
Two parents
One or more children
Grandparents
Other relatives
Each eligible traveler should have the necessary authorization before boarding a U.S.-bound flight or ship.
Parents should carefully review each child's application information before submission.
No.
ESTA and a U.S. visa are different forms of travel authorization.
A visa is issued through a U.S. embassy or consulate following the applicable visa application process.
ESTA is an electronic authorization used by eligible travelers under the Visa Waiver Program.
For eligible travelers, ESTA can eliminate the need to obtain a traditional visitor visa for qualifying short trips.
However, ESTA does not provide all the rights associated with a visa.
For example, the Visa Waiver Program has strict limitations concerning the length and purpose of travel.
Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is generally limited to stays of up to 90 days.
The 90-day period is important because ESTA is designed for short-term travel.
Travelers should not assume that they can simply extend their stay if they decide they want more time.
People entering under the Visa Waiver Program generally cannot extend their stay beyond the admission period or change their immigration status while in the United States.
Anyone who needs a longer stay or intends to undertake activities not permitted under the VWP should investigate the appropriate visa or immigration category before traveling.
ESTA can be used for several types of short-term activities.
Tourism is one of the most common reasons travelers use ESTA.
Examples include:
Visiting New York
Exploring California
Taking a road trip
Visiting national parks
Going to museums
Visiting theme parks
Enjoying beaches
Visiting friends and family
Taking a sightseeing holiday
Certain temporary business activities are also permitted.
Examples may include:
Meeting business associates
Attending conferences
Attending professional events
Negotiating contracts
Consulting with business partners
Participating in certain short-term business activities
ESTA should not be used as authorization for ordinary employment in the United States.
Eligible VWP travelers can generally use the Visa Waiver Program when transiting through the United States to another destination, provided they meet all applicable requirements.
For example, a traveler from France flying through the United States on the way to another country may potentially travel under ESTA if all VWP requirements are satisfied.
There are many countries that are not members of the Visa Waiver Program.
Examples include:
Canada, although Canadians generally have separate visa-exempt arrangements
Mexico
India
China
Brazil
South Africa
Argentina
Colombia
Egypt
Mauritius
Thailand
Vietnam
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines
Turkey
Morocco
Being from one of these countries does not necessarily mean a person cannot visit the United States. It generally means that ESTA is not the appropriate VWP authorization for that nationality.
Depending on the circumstances, a traveler may need to apply for a U.S. visitor visa or another appropriate immigration document.
No.
This is a common misunderstanding.
ESTA eligibility is not simply based on where you live.
Suppose someone is a citizen of Mauritius but has been living in France for several years. Living in France does not automatically make that person eligible for ESTA.
Similarly, a citizen of India who lives permanently in Germany does not automatically become eligible for ESTA.
The nationality and passport being used for travel are important factors.
Generally, no.
A permanent resident card or residence permit from a VWP country does not normally give a traveler VWP eligibility.
For example, a citizen of Brazil who has permanent residence in Spain does not automatically become eligible for ESTA because Spain participates in the VWP.
The person would generally need to use the appropriate U.S. visa process based on their nationality and travel circumstances.
After submitting an ESTA application, the information is reviewed through the ESTA system.
A traveler may receive an authorization decision, but travelers should not assume that every application will be approved immediately.
It is therefore wise to apply well before the intended departure date.
Waiting until the day of travel can create unnecessary stress, particularly if additional action becomes necessary.
Travelers should consider checking their ESTA eligibility before making non-refundable travel arrangements.
An ESTA application is not simply a formality. A person may discover that they are not eligible for VWP travel because of their travel history, nationality circumstances, passport issues, or another factor.
If ESTA is not available, the traveler may need to pursue a different U.S. visa process.
Before beginning an application, travelers can prepare the following information:
Valid passport
Full legal name
Date of birth
Place of birth
Nationality information
Contact information
Employment information where requested
U.S. address or point-of-contact information where required
Emergency contact information
Travel details where applicable
Relevant information concerning previous travel
Information concerning other citizenships where applicable
The exact questions presented by the ESTA system can change, so applicants should carefully read each question rather than relying on an old application or another person's answers.
A passport number is an important identifier.
Entering it incorrectly can cause problems because the authorization is connected to the traveler's passport information.
Always compare the application with the passport before submitting it.
If you have received a new passport, do not assume an ESTA associated with an old passport remains usable.
Passport changes can require a new ESTA.
A residence permit from France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, or another VWP country does not automatically make a non-VWP national eligible for ESTA.
Travel history can be relevant to VWP eligibility.
Applicants should answer travel-history questions accurately.
An ESTA authorization allows a traveler to seek admission to the United States, but it does not guarantee admission.
The final decision is made at the U.S. port of entry.
One of the most important concepts for VWP travelers is the 90-day limit.
If you are admitted under the Visa Waiver Program, you generally cannot simply request an extension because you want to stay longer.
This makes planning especially important.
A traveler planning a two-week vacation has very different circumstances from someone considering a four-month stay.
If your planned activities or duration do not fit the Visa Waiver Program, investigate the appropriate U.S. visa before traveling.
Travelers from VWP countries frequently use ESTA when visiting popular American destinations.
New York is one of the most popular destinations for international visitors.
Travelers can explore Manhattan, Central Park, museums, neighborhoods, restaurants, Broadway, and landmarks.
California offers a wide variety of tourism experiences, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, beaches, national parks, and scenic road trips.
Florida is popular for beaches, theme parks, family holidays, cruises, and warm-weather vacations.
Hawaii attracts visitors interested in beaches, nature, hiking, culture, and outdoor activities.
Las Vegas is another major destination for international tourists, while Nevada also offers access to desert landscapes and other attractions.
For eligible travelers, the VWP can make planning a short U.S. visit easier because it avoids the standard visitor-visa application process.
Instead of arranging a traditional visa interview and waiting for visa processing, an eligible traveler can request ESTA electronically.
This can be particularly convenient for people who frequently travel between VWP countries and the United States.
However, convenience should not be confused with automatic eligibility.
Immigration and travel authorization rules can change.
The list of VWP countries, eligibility requirements, travel restrictions, and other policies may be updated by the U.S. government.
Travelers should therefore verify the current rules before every trip rather than relying exclusively on information from a previous journey.
This is particularly important for travelers who:
Have dual nationality
Recently changed passports
Have traveled extensively
Have previously been refused entry
Have previous U.S. immigration issues
Have traveled to countries subject to VWP restrictions
Have changed their name
Have unusual travel circumstances
The Visa Waiver Program currently includes 42 participating countries and territories. Citizens and nationals of these locations may potentially use ESTA if they satisfy all other VWP requirements.
Yes. The United Kingdom is a Visa Waiver Program participant, although the applicable rules specify which British nationality qualifies.
Yes. France participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Germany participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Italy participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Spain participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Portugal participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Ireland participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Australia participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. New Zealand participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Japan participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
Yes. Singapore participates in the Visa Waiver Program.
No. India is not currently a Visa Waiver Program participant.
No. China is not currently a Visa Waiver Program participant.
No. Brazil is not currently a Visa Waiver Program participant.
No. Mauritius is not currently a Visa Waiver Program participant.
No. South Africa is not currently a Visa Waiver Program participant.
No. Mexico is not currently a Visa Waiver Program participant, although Mexican citizens have separate U.S. travel and visa arrangements.
The countries that can potentially use ESTA USA are the countries designated by the United States as participants in the Visa Waiver Program. The current list includes 42 participating countries and territories across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and South America.
These include countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, Qatar, Chile, and many other European countries.
However, nationality alone is not enough. Travelers must also meet the Visa Waiver Program's passport, travel-purpose, travel-history, security, and immigration requirements.
An ESTA is designed for qualifying short-term tourism, business, or transit travel, generally for stays of no more than 90 days. It is not a substitute for a U.S. visa when a traveler is not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program or intends to undertake activities that are not permitted under ESTA.
Before planning a trip, travelers should therefore look at the complete picture: their nationality, passport, travel history, purpose of travel, intended length of stay, and individual eligibility circumstances. Understanding these requirements in advance can make the journey to the United States considerably smoother and help travelers choose the correct U.S. travel authorization.