Travel guides / Passports, visas and ID
Passports, visas and IDESTA and the Visa Waiver Program: who needs it and what it costs
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa, but they must get an approved ESTA before boarding.
What ESTA is
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an online check run by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It decides whether a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country may travel to the US for tourism, business or transit for up to 90 days. It is not a visa.
Who can use it
Only citizens of VWP countries, such as the UK, most of the European Union, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Citizens of India and Bangladesh are not in the program and need a visa, usually a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.
Cost and validity
- The fee rose to $40.62 on October 16, 2026, after a yearly inflation adjustment. If the application is denied, you pay only the processing part of the fee.
- An approval is usually valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, for multiple trips.
- Apply only on the official site. Many look-alike sites charge extra.
When to apply
CBP recommends applying as soon as you start planning, and at least 72 hours before you travel. Most answers come quickly, but some take longer.
When you need a visa instead
You must apply for a visa if your ESTA is denied, if you plan to stay longer than 90 days, study or work, or if you have travelled to certain countries or have certain nationalities listed by CBP.
At the border
An approved ESTA lets you board. A CBP officer still decides whether to admit you when you arrive, so carry proof of your return or onward travel and your plans.
Handy tools
Keep reading
- REAL ID: do you need one to fly in the US?
- How to renew a US passport (and how long it takes)
- US visitor visa (B-1/B-2): steps, fees and the interview
Sources
Rules, fees and processing times change. Check the official sources above before you travel. Last checked October 2026.