
US Visa Waiver Application (ESTA)
Travel Using the Visa Waiver Program
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Visa Waiver Application Guide (ESTA)


Visa Waiver Program General Information:
- Start Application Immediately
- Easy to Understand Instructions
- Apply Online or by Mail
- Pricing and Fee Information Included
- Checklist of Required Documents
- Unlimited Online Support
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
What’s included
- Visa Waiver Program overview
- List of Visa Waiver countries
- Visa Waiver requirements
- Visa Waiver benefits
- Visa Waiver drawbacks
- Visa Waiver eligibility information
- Description and sample Form I-94W
- Description and sample U.S. Customs Form
- USA Online Visa application instructions
- USA Online Visa transit information
Important / Warning
- How to update an existing Travel Authorization
- Information about when to apply for a new Travel Authorization
- Information about Arrival and Departure Records
- How to apply for the new Travel Authorization
- How to apply for a visa in case you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- List of USCIS Offices Nationwide
- Directory of U.S. Embassies and Consulates
- Information on how to obtain the latest United States immigration forms
New United States Entry Requirement:
The Department of Homeland Security has implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. The purpose of ESTA is to pre-screen all travelers who intent to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Individuals from non Visa Waiver countries cannot enter the United States under this program and must obtain a visitor visa in advance.
Travelers to the United States are encouraged to register themselves online as soon as possible. It is not necessary to have purchased a ticket or made a hotel booking in advance. Once the traveler has completed the Travel Authorization registration, he or she will get an instant result indicating whether the they are allowed to travel to the United States or not. A Travel Authorization is valid for 2 years at the time unless the passport expires earlier.
January 12, 2009: All travelers under the Visa Waiver Program must pre-register online before entering the United States via air or sea. Travelers without an accepted Travel Authorization will not be allowed to board any airplanes or sea carriers that are U.S. bound.
Any person traveling on the Visa Waiver Program must present a machine readable passport or an e-passport depending on the citizenship. A person from a Visa Waiver Country having a non-machine readable passport must apply for a visitor visa in advance.
The 37 Visa Waiver Program Member Countries:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom.
Visa Waiver Program Eligibility Requirements:
Not all citizens of Visa Waiver countries are eligible to enter the United States Visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program. Some applicants might be required to apply for a B-1 Business Visa or a B-2 Tourist Visa in order to visit the United States. Additional information can be found in the Visa Waiver Information Guide.