Immigration & Visas

ESTA Application: US Travel Authorization Guide

Apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Covers eligibility, application process, common mistakes, renewal, and what to expect at US border control.

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Last updated: February 24, 2026

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Check Your Eligibility

Confirm your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program

41 countries participate in the VWP, including the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, most EU member states, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Chile, and Brunei. Citizens of these countries can travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. Check the full list at the CBP website. If your country is not listed, you must apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa instead.

Confirm your trip is for tourism, business, or transit only

ESTA covers tourism (sightseeing, visiting family, vacation), business (meetings, conferences, contract negotiations), and transit through the US. It does not cover employment, study at a US institution, journalism or media work, or stays longer than 90 days. If your purpose does not fit these categories, apply for the appropriate visa type.

Check if any ineligibility factors apply to you

You are ineligible for ESTA if you have been arrested, convicted of certain crimes, have certain communicable diseases, have previously been refused entry to or deported from the US, have overstayed a previous US visit, or have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since 2011 (with some exceptions for diplomatic or military travel). If any factor applies, you must apply for a visa at a US embassy or consulate.

Before You Apply

Gather your passport and travel information

You need a valid e-passport (machine-readable with a chip) from a VWP country. The passport must be valid for your entire stay in the US. Have your full name exactly as it appears on the passport, passport number, issuance and expiration dates, and country of citizenship ready. If you have a second passport, you may need to provide those details as well.

Prepare your US contact information and travel details

The application asks for your US address (hotel, host, or destination address), your US contact person's name and phone number, and your employer information. If you do not have a specific US address yet, you can enter the name and address of your first hotel or a general destination city. You do not need confirmed flight bookings to apply.

Have a valid credit or debit card for payment

The ESTA application fee is 21 USD, payable by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club), debit card, or PayPal. The fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the ESTA is approved or denied. Only apply through the official CBP website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) to avoid third-party markup fees that can charge 50-100 USD for the same application.

Application Process

Complete the application at esta.cbp.dhs.gov

The official and only legitimate ESTA website is esta.cbp.dhs.gov (operated by US Customs and Border Protection). The application takes 15-20 minutes. Enter all information exactly as it appears on your passport. You can apply as an individual or create a group application for families traveling together. Review all answers carefully before submitting, as errors can result in denial.

Answer the eligibility questions honestly

The application asks yes/no questions about criminal history, drug use, communicable diseases, previous visa denials, and travel to certain countries. Answer truthfully. Providing false information is a federal offense and results in permanent ESTA ineligibility. If you answer yes to any question, you may still be approved, but providing false negatives and being discovered will result in a ban.

Pay the 21 USD application fee and submit

The fee has two components: 4 USD for processing (charged to all applicants) and 17 USD for authorization (charged only if approved). If denied, you are charged only 4 USD. Payment is processed immediately. After payment, you receive an application number. Save this number to check your status later. Most applications receive an instant decision.

Check your application status

Most ESTA applications are approved within minutes of submission. Some applications receive a 'pending' status, which means additional processing is required. Pending applications are resolved within 72 hours. Check your status at esta.cbp.dhs.gov using your application number and passport details. If denied, the website does not provide the specific reason. You can apply for a B1/B2 visa at a US embassy as an alternative.

After Approval

Verify your ESTA details are correct

After approval, log in to the ESTA website and verify all information is correct, especially your passport number, name, and date of birth. If you find an error in your name, passport number, or country of citizenship, you must submit a new application (21 USD) rather than updating the existing one. Minor errors in non-critical fields like email or address can be updated without a new application.

Know that ESTA approval does not guarantee entry

An approved ESTA allows you to board a flight to the US but does not guarantee admission. The CBP officer at the US port of entry makes the final decision. Be prepared to answer questions about the purpose of your visit, length of stay, accommodation, return or onward travel, and financial means. Carry printed copies of your hotel reservation, return flight, and travel itinerary.

Understand the 90-day maximum stay rule

ESTA permits stays of up to 90 days per visit. The 90 days cannot be extended, and you cannot change your status from within the US (for example, from tourist to student). If you overstay even by one day, your ESTA is permanently revoked and you must apply for visas for all future US travel. Short trips to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean do not reset the 90-day clock.

Renewal and Updates

Renew your ESTA every 2 years or when your passport changes

ESTA authorization is valid for 2 years from the date of approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If your passport expires before the 2-year mark, you need a new ESTA with your new passport. There is no renewal process. Submit a completely new application with the new 21 USD fee. Apply at least 72 hours before your departure date.

Submit a new application if your circumstances change

You must submit a new ESTA application if you get a new passport, change your name, change your gender, change your country of citizenship, or if the answer to any of the yes/no eligibility questions changes. You do not need a new ESTA if you change your email address, phone number, or travel itinerary. Update travel details (address in US, emergency contact) through the existing application. This guide is informational only, not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does ESTA approval take?

Most ESTA applications are approved instantly (within minutes of submission). Applications that receive a 'pending' status are resolved within 72 hours. Apply at least 72 hours before your planned departure. There is no expedited processing option since most approvals are immediate. If denied, you should apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa at a US embassy, which takes several weeks.

How much does ESTA cost?

The ESTA application fee is 21 USD (4 USD processing fee plus 17 USD authorization fee). If your application is denied, you only pay the 4 USD processing fee. The fee is non-refundable. Only apply through the official website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) to avoid third-party services that charge 50-100 USD for the same application. A new 21 USD fee is required every 2 years or when you get a new passport.

What is the difference between ESTA and a US tourist visa?

ESTA is an automated pre-screening for citizens of 41 Visa Waiver Program countries. It costs 21 USD, is processed online in minutes, and allows stays up to 90 days. A B1/B2 tourist visa requires an embassy interview, costs 185 USD, takes weeks to process, and allows stays up to 180 days with possible extensions. ESTA travelers cannot extend their stay or change status while in the US. Visa holders have more flexibility.

Can I work in the US with an ESTA?

No. ESTA does not authorize any form of employment in the United States. You cannot work for a US company, freelance, or receive payment from a US source. Permitted business activities are limited to attending meetings, conferences, trade shows, or negotiating contracts. If you are caught working on an ESTA, you face deportation, a permanent ban on future ESTAs, and potential difficulty obtaining US visas. Remote work for a non-US employer while visiting on ESTA is a gray area that is best avoided.