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Find more info about how to answer each question below:

Select your nationality from the dropdown list. This information is used to determine the visa requirements and applicable fees.

Select the type of visa you're applying for. The various types include different durations and entry types. Make sure to choose the one that matches your travel plans.

Enter your first name and middle name exactly as they appear in your passport, using letters A-Z.

Enter your last name exactly as it appears in your passport, using letters A-Z. If you don't have a last name, enter "N/A."

Select your date of birth from the dropdown menus. Make sure this matches the date of birth listed in your passport.

Enter your email address. We'll use this to send you updates about your application. You won't be enrolled in any promotional messages unless you click the checkbox below.

Enter your passport number exactly as shown on your passport. Include all letters and numbers without spaces.

Select the date your passport was issued. This must match the issue date printed on your passport.

Select your passport expiry date. Make sure your passport is valid for your planned travel duration.

ESTA Eligibility Requirements

A comprehensive guide to everything you need to qualify for U.S. travel authorization under the Visa Waiver Program.

Before applying for an ESTA travel authorization through USA ESTA PORTAL, it is essential to understand the eligibility criteria established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Meeting these requirements is the first step toward a successful application and a smooth entry into the United States. This page provides an in-depth look at every requirement you must satisfy to qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

Citizenship Requirements

The ESTA program is exclusively available to citizens and eligible nationals of countries that participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Currently, more than 40 countries are members of the VWP, spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other regions. If your country of citizenship is not a VWP member, you will need to apply for a traditional nonimmigrant visa through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

It is important to note that your eligibility is based on your citizenship, not your country of residence. Even if you live in a VWP country, you must hold citizenship in a participating country to qualify for an ESTA. Permanent residents, temporary residents, and holders of travel documents other than passports from VWP countries are generally not eligible for the ESTA program.

Travelers with dual or multiple citizenships should pay special attention to eligibility requirements. If one of your citizenships is from a VWP-participating country, you may be eligible to apply using that country's passport. However, if you also hold citizenship in certain countries that are subject to additional travel restrictions, your eligibility may be affected. In such cases, we recommend consulting with our support team for personalized guidance on your specific citizenship situation.

Passport Requirements

All ESTA applicants must possess a valid electronic passport (e-Passport). An e-Passport contains an embedded electronic chip that stores biographic and biometric data, including your photograph, name, date of birth, and other identifying information. You can identify an e-Passport by the international e-Passport symbol printed on the front cover — a small rectangle with a circle inside it.

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your intended stay in the United States. While the U.S. generally requires passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay, citizens of VWP countries that are members of the "Six-Month Club" may be exempt from this requirement. If your passport is set to expire soon, we recommend renewing it before applying for your ESTA to avoid any complications.

The passport you use to apply for your ESTA must be the same passport you use when traveling to the United States. If you renew or replace your passport after your ESTA has been approved, you will need to apply for a new ESTA linked to your new passport, even if your previous authorization has not yet expired.

Machine-readable passports that do not contain an electronic chip are not eligible for the ESTA program. If your passport does not have the e-Passport symbol, you will need to either obtain a new e-Passport from your country's passport authority or apply for a traditional U.S. visa instead.

Purpose of Travel

ESTA authorization permits travel to the United States for the following purposes only:

  • Tourism and Recreation: Sightseeing, vacations, visiting friends or family, attending social events, participating in recreational activities, and general leisure travel.
  • Business Activities: Attending meetings, conferences, trade shows, negotiating contracts, consulting with business associates, and attending educational or professional seminars. Note that business activities under the VWP do not include gainful employment.
  • Transit: Passing through the United States en route to another country. Even brief transit stops on U.S. soil require a valid ESTA or visa.
  • Medical Treatment: Seeking medical consultations, treatments, or procedures at U.S. healthcare facilities.
  • Short-Term Study: Participating in short courses of study that are recreational in nature and do not lead to a degree or academic credit, provided the course is less than 18 hours per week.

ESTA does not authorize employment, full-time academic study, journalism or media activities, or any form of paid work in the United States. These purposes require appropriate visa categories, and attempting to use an ESTA for unauthorized purposes can result in denial of entry, deportation, and future travel restrictions.

Duration of Stay

Under the Visa Waiver Program, each individual visit to the United States must not exceed 90 consecutive days. This 90-day limit is strictly enforced and cannot be extended while you are in the United States. Overstaying the 90-day limit is a serious violation that can result in future travel restrictions, denial of future ESTA applications, and other legal consequences.

Your total ESTA authorization period is two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this two-year validity period, you may make multiple trips to the United States, provided each visit stays within the 90-day maximum. However, frequent or prolonged visits may attract scrutiny from border officials, so it is advisable to maintain a travel pattern that is consistent with legitimate tourism or business purposes.

Brief trips to Canada, Mexico, or nearby Caribbean islands during your stay generally do not reset the 90-day clock. The days spent in neighboring countries are typically counted as part of your 90-day period unless you have departed the region entirely.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

In addition to the citizenship, passport, and purpose requirements outlined above, ESTA applicants must meet certain additional criteria related to their personal history and background:

  • Criminal History: Applicants should not have a history of certain criminal convictions, including crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, or other serious criminal activity. The ESTA application includes specific questions about criminal history that must be answered truthfully.
  • Immigration Violations: Previous immigration violations, such as overstaying a visa, unauthorized employment, or prior deportation from the United States, may disqualify you from ESTA eligibility.
  • Prior Visa Denials: Travelers who have previously been denied a U.S. visa or refused entry at a U.S. port of entry may not be eligible for ESTA and should consider applying for a standard visa instead.
  • Health-Related Questions: The ESTA application includes questions about certain communicable diseases and physical or mental disorders. Accurate responses are required.
  • National Security: Applicants who have been involved in or are suspected of involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, or related activities are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.
  • Travel History: Travelers who have visited certain countries after March 2011 may face additional restrictions on ESTA eligibility. This includes travel to countries designated as areas of concern for security purposes.

All eligibility questions on the ESTA application must be answered honestly and accurately. Providing false information on your application is a violation of U.S. law and can result in permanent ineligibility for the Visa Waiver Program, denial of entry into the United States, and potential legal consequences.

Documentation Checklist

Before beginning your ESTA application, ensure you have the following documents and information readily available:

  • Valid e-Passport from a VWP-participating country with at least six months of remaining validity
  • Active email address for receiving correspondence and status updates
  • Complete travel itinerary details, including intended dates of travel and accommodation information (if available)
  • U.S. point of contact information — the name, address, and phone number of someone in the United States you plan to visit or stay with (if applicable)
  • Employment information, including your current employer's name, address, and phone number
  • Payment method for processing fees (credit or debit card)
  • Residential address and phone number in your home country
  • Parent information (names) as listed in your passport

Having all of this information prepared before you begin the application process will help ensure a smooth, accurate, and efficient submission. Incomplete or inaccurate information is one of the most common causes of processing delays, and our professional review service is specifically designed to catch and address these issues before they affect your application outcome.

Special Circumstances

Certain travelers may have unique circumstances that require additional consideration during the ESTA application process. These include but are not limited to:

  • Minor Children: Children of all ages, including infants, require their own individual ESTA authorization. A parent or guardian may complete the application on behalf of a minor.
  • Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders: Holders of diplomatic or official service passports may have different requirements depending on their country of citizenship and the purpose of their travel.
  • Name Changes: If your name has changed since your passport was issued (due to marriage, legal name change, etc.), ensure that your passport reflects your current legal name before applying for an ESTA.