United States visa requirements and entry rules

Headline

ESTA visa-waiver 90 days for most Western nationalities; B-1/B-2 visa otherwise

Pre-arrival card

ESTA

Official portal

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Specifics

Visa Waiver Program: 40 country list. ESTA USD 21, valid 2 years.
Apply at least 72 hours before flight.
Multiple-entry, no extension within the U.S. while on ESTA.
Israeli stamps in passport no longer affect entry to most Arab/Muslim-majority countries post-Abraham Accords; verify per destination.

By passport nationality

Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on United States’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.

US passport
Visa-free
No day limit
- Citizens of the United States.
UK passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 21
Pre-arrival: ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)
- ESTA valid 2 years, multiple stays of up to 90 days.
EU passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 21
Pre-arrival: ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)
- ESTA for VWP-eligible EU countries (most). Greece, Romania, Bulgaria not yet in VWP as of 2026; verify.
CA passport
Visa-free
Up to 180 days
- Canadian passport-holders enter visa-free for up to 180 days; no ESTA required for land entry from Canada.
AU passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 21
Pre-arrival: ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)
- ESTA valid 2 years.
IN passport
Consular visa required
Up to 180 days · USD 185
Pre-arrival: B-1/B-2 visitor visa
- B-1/B-2 visa via U.S. consulate; processing 1-12+ months depending on consulate.
BR passport
Consular visa required
Up to 180 days · USD 185
Pre-arrival: B-1/B-2 visitor visa
- B-1/B-2 visa required.
JP passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 21
Pre-arrival: ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)
- ESTA valid 2 years.
CN passport
Consular visa required
Up to 180 days · USD 185
Pre-arrival: B-1/B-2 visitor visa
- B-1/B-2 visa via U.S. consulate; processing variable.

Practical guidance

For most short-stay tourists

The headline rule for United States is esta visa-waiver 90 days for most western nationalities; b-1/b-2 visa otherwise. US passport-holders specifically get visa-free. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.

Pre-arrival documentation

United States requires ESTA before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in United States.

When to apply

For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. United States’s official portal is esta.cbp.dhs.gov; only apply through that portal or through your nearest United States embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.

Common rejection reasons

Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming United States explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.

Related for United States

More on United States

Read the United States visa and entry requirements chapter →

The United States is a continent of its own, with state-by-state variation that almost no headline number captures. Most foreign travellers visit only the major coastal cities, the southwestern parks, or Florida and Hawaii, and those itineraries are statistically very safe. What kills and injures foreign tourists in the US, in order, is road accidents on long-distance drives, the catastrophic cost of any medical incident without insurance, heat in the desert southwest, and bear/wildlife encounters in national parks. Gun violence is rare in tourist zones but real enough that every major Western advisory addresses it explicitly. This guide covers each.

Frequently asked about United States

Do I need a visa to travel to United States?

The headline rule is: ESTA visa-waiver 90 days for most Western nationalities; B-1/B-2 visa otherwise. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on United States's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.

How long can I stay in United States on a tourist visa?

ESTA visa-waiver 90 days for most Western nationalities; B-1/B-2 visa otherwise. ESTA is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.

Can I extend my visa once I'm in United States?

Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. United States's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.