Visa Waiver Program travellers can apply for the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) entirely online — no embassy visit required. Answer a few simple questions, pay the applicable fee, and travel to the United States with confidence.
United States10,000+
Applications Assisted
42
VWP Eligible Countries
24/7
Support
72 hrs
Typical Decision
Requirements
Before starting your US ESTA application, make sure you have these four essentials ready.
A machine-readable passport with an electronic chip issued by a VWP country.
A clear digital scan or photo of the personal-details page of your passport.
A working email address to receive your ESTA approval and travel notifications.
Credit or debit card to pay the US ESTA fee securely online in one transaction.
Overview
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that determines whether Visa Waiver Program travellers are eligible to travel to the United States. It is not a visa — it is a digital authorisation linked to your passport that permits you to board a US-bound flight or ship.
The ESTA was introduced in 2009 and is now mandatory for all VWP passport holders travelling to the US by air or sea for stays of up to 90 days. It applies to travel to all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and US territories including Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that period it allows multiple entries, with each visit lasting up to 90 days for tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit. Most decisions are returned within 72 hours, and many are approved within minutes.
New York City, United States
Gateway to the American experience — from Manhattan to the Pacific coast
Simple process
Apply for your US ESTA in four straightforward steps — secure, guided, and stress-free.
Answer straightforward questions about your passport, travel plans and background. Most people finish in under 10 minutes.
Our specialists check every field — passport data, eligibility answers, and biographic details — to reduce the risk of a denial.
We submit your application to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on your behalf and monitor the decision status.
Your approved ESTA is delivered by email, electronically linked to your passport. We tell you exactly what to show at the border.
ESTA options
A single ESTA covers multiple short-stay purposes under the Visa Waiver Program. What you can do in the United States depends on the reason for your visit — here are the categories the ESTA supports.
Most travellers apply for an ESTA to visit the United States for leisure — sightseeing, exploring cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami, visiting national parks, or attending events. Under the ESTA, tourism visits share the same key rules:
Documents
To complete your US ESTA application, have the following documents and information ready. Every detail must match your biometric passport exactly.
Valid biometric e-passport
A machine-readable passport with an electronic chip issued by a Visa Waiver Program country. Your passport must be valid on the day you travel.
Passport data page details
The full biographic information from your passport data page — passport number, dates, place of birth, and nationality.
Parents' full names
The complete family and given names of both parents, as required by the CBP ESTA form.
US point of contact (if applicable)
Name, address, and phone number of a person or organisation in the US you will be visiting. Transit passengers can enter 'In Transit'.
Emergency contact outside the US
Name, email, and phone number of someone who can be contacted about you during your trip.
Credit or debit card
For secure online payment of the US government fee and any expedited-processing service fee.
Important Notice
U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires that the information in your ESTA application matches the passport you will travel on precisely. This includes:
Only limited fields can be updated after submission (such as email, address, and flight information). Changes to name, date of birth, gender, citizenship, or passport number require a brand-new ESTA application and a new fee.
Guidelines
Before applying for your US ESTA, review these important guidelines to ensure a smooth and successful application.
Apply at least 72 hours before your departure. CBP officially recommends this window, and it gives time to reapply for a B-1/B-2 visa if your ESTA is refused.
Every traveller, including infants and children, must have their own individual ESTA. Children cannot be added to a parent's application — but a parent or guardian may apply on their behalf.
Certain fields (name, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number) cannot be edited after submission. If you make an error, you must submit a brand-new ESTA and pay the fee again.
The ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States. CBP officers make the final admission decision at the port of entry.
The ESTA is linked to your passport. If your passport expires, is lost, or is replaced, you must apply for a new ESTA linked to your new passport.
The ESTA does not permit paid employment, journalism, academic study for credit, or long-term stays. Those purposes require a US non-immigrant visa.
The ESTA covers the 50 states, DC, and US territories including Puerto Rico, USVI, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Travel onward to Canada or Mexico has separate rules.
The US government fee is non-refundable — it pays for the assessment, not the outcome. This applies whether your ESTA is approved or refused.
Entry requirements
Under the Visa Waiver Program, eligible passport holders must obtain a valid ESTA before travelling to the United States by air or sea. Nationals of non-VWP countries must instead apply for the appropriate US visa. US citizens and lawful permanent residents do not need an ESTA.
Pricing
No ESTA options available for the selected nationality.
At a glance
< 10 min
Average time to apply
≤ 72 hrs
Typical processing time
2 years
Validity, multiple entries
Eligibility
Passport holders from the following Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to apply for a US ESTA online without visiting a US embassy or consulate. Select your country for a full guide covering requirements, stay limits and processing times for your passport.
Visa Waiver Program Countries
Covered for tourism, business, medical treatment and transit — up to 90 days per visit, with the ESTA valid for 2 years or until your passport expires.
Where the US ESTA Is Valid
Passport & US ESTA
Your approved ESTA is electronically linked to your passport
Validity
Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry
A US ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until the passport it is linked to expires — whichever is sooner. During that period it permits multiple entries to the United States.
Up to 90 days per visit
Each stay in the United States on an ESTA can last up to 90 days. There is no set limit on the number of visits within the 2-year validity window, though frequent extended stays may draw CBP scrutiny.
Linked to your passport
The ESTA is electronically tied to the passport you applied with. If your passport expires or is replaced, you must apply for a new ESTA linked to the new document.
Cannot be extended in-country
The 90-day admission on an ESTA cannot be extended in the United States. If you wish to stay longer or change your status, you must depart and apply for the appropriate visa before returning.
Does not guarantee entry
Holding an approved ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States. CBP officers make the final decision on admission at the port of entry.
Why us
Applying for a US ESTA directly can be straightforward — but small mistakes can lead to denials or extended review. OnlineVisa simplifies the process, catches errors before submission, and gives you confidence every step of the way.
| Feature | Applying yourself | OnlineVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Simple, guided application forms | ||
| 24/7 support from visa experts | ||
| Error detection to prevent denials | ||
| Multi-language application review | ||
| Multiple secure payment methods | ||
| Real-time application tracking |
FAQs
Everything you need to know about applying for a US ESTA online.
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