Questions about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA
Do I need a visa or do I just need to fill out the online ESTA authorization
Step 1: Are you a citizen of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, the Slovak Republic Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, or The United Kingdom? If yes, go to Step 3. If no, go to Step 2.
Step 2: You need to apply for a visa.
Step 3: Is your trip to the United States for business or tourism purposes? If yes, go to Step 5. If no go to Step 4.
Step 4: You need to apply for a visa.
Step 5: Will your stay in the United States (to include side trips to Canada or Mexico) be for 90 days or less? If yes, go to Step 7. If no go to Step 6.
Step 6: You need to apply for a visa.
Step 7: Is your passport Machine Readable?* If yes, go to Step 9. If no, go to Step 8?
Step 8: You need to apply for a visa.
Step 9: Please register your trip with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. If you received an approved travel authorization after registering your trip in ESTA go to Step 11. If your travel authorization was denied, go to Step 10.
Step 10: You need to apply for a visa.
Step 11: You may travel to the United States without a visa.
* You will need an e-passport if your passport was issued after 26 October 2006, or if you are a citizen of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic. An e-passport is a passport that contains a computer chip holding the same information printed on the passport’s data page. For more information on e-passports and Machine Readable passports, please download this document.
What kind of passport do I need?
Effective October 26, 2004, travelers--including children of any age--who are eligible to enter the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program are required to present machine readable passports.
Under existing U.S. regulations, Danish passports issued on or after October 26, 2006, must contain biometric identifiers in order to qualify the bearer for visa-free travel on the Visa Waiver Program.
What should I do if I overstayed on a previous visit?
You must apply for a visa.
What should I do with the 1-94/1-94W from my last visit to the United States?
Can I enter the United States from anywhere in the world?
Yes, provided you meet all of the requirements for visa free travel.
How can I obtain a copy of the 1-94W?
The airline or shipping company will give you the 1-94W when you check-in for your flight or in the case of a cruise, aboard the boat.
If I enter the United States for a holiday, can I then travel to Canada/Mexico/ Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean?
Yes, provided you have a return or onward ticket. If your return journey will take you back through the United States , even if only in transit, the total trip, including both periods of time spent in the United States/Canada/Mexico Bermuda, or the islands in the Caribbean cannot exceed 90 days. If it does, you will require a visa.
What if I want to stay in Mexico , Canada , Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean?
If your ticket terminates in Mexico , Canada , Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean , you must be a legal resident of the area in order to qualify for visa free travel. If you are not and your stay will extend beyond 90 days from the date on which you first entered the United States , you will require a visa.
If I travel to the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, will I be able to get the 90 days extended?
No, the maximum period of time you may remain in the United States if you enter visa free, is 90 days.
Can I enter the United States by land from Canada or Mexico?
Yes. If you enter by land there is no requirement that you be in possession of a round trip or onward ticket. The immigration authorities at the border crossing will issue you with the arrival/departure record card, 1-94W. You will be charged a $6.00 administrative fee; the fee is payable in U.S. dollars only.
Why do I have to pay a $6.00 fee?
This fee is charged to all travelers regardless of whether or not they have a visa. For those entering the United States by air or sea, the fee is included in the cost of their ticket.
If I fly into the United States and out of Canada or Mexico , do I need a visa?
It will depend on your itinerary. If you have an onward ticket for each stage of your journey, including the journey between the United States and Canada or Mexico , you may travel without a visa. Should you choose to travel this way, you must be in possession of the tickets for each stage of your journey on your initial entry into the United States . You cannot buy the ticket for the journey between the United States and Canada or Mexico on your arrival in the United States . If you will depart the United States for Canada or Mexico by private transport, you will require a visa.
My passport is not valid for six months does this matter if I'm traveling visa free?
With the exception of passport holders of Andorra , Brunei , and San Marino , the requirement that a passport be valid for six months beyond the holders stay in the United States is waived. If your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be admitted into the United States until the date on which the passport expires. Note: Citizens of Andorra , Brunei , and San Marino , are not covered by this ruling and must be in possession of passports valid for at least six months from the date on which they depart the United States , regardless of their proposed length of stay.
If I am transiting through the United States to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean, does the 90 day period begin on my initial entry into the United States, even though I am there for only a couple of hours?
The regulations are the same as if you entered the United States for a holiday. If you will transit the United States, even if only for a couple of hours, to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean the total trip, including both periods of time spent in the United States, Canada/Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean islands cannot exceed 90 days. If it does, you will require a visa, unless you are a legal permanent resident of the country.
I have been refused a visa under Section 221(g) or 214(b) of the Immigration & Nationality Act; can I travel visa free?
If you have ever been refused a visa, we recommend that you obtain one before traveling to the United States .
I am entering the United States aboard a private plane, can I travel visa free?
If you are entering the United States aboard a private aircraft of a U.S. corporation that has entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to carry passengers under the Visa Waiver Program, you will not require a visa, if you are otherwise qualified to travel visa free. If you are entering aboard any other private or official aircraft, you will require a visa.
How can I find out if my employer can carry visa free passengers on its aircraft?
You must contact your employer. The Embassy does not have a list of corporations that have entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to carry passengers under the Visa Waiver Program.
I am entering the United States on a private yacht; do I qualify for visa free travel?
No. If you are entering the U.S. on a private yacht, you will require a visa.
Is there a limit to the number of times I may travel to the United States visa free in any given period of time?
There is no limit to the number of times you may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program in any given period. There is also no minimum period of time you are required to remain outside the U.S. before reapplying for admission. However, if you are a frequent traveler to the United States you should be sure to carry with you for presentation to U.S. immigration evidence of your residence abroad to which you intend returning at the end of your visit together with evidence of funds sufficient for your support while in the United States . If the immigration inspector is not convinced that you are a bona fide visitor for business or tourism, you can be denied entry.