The US ESTA visa waiver is a mandatory requirement for all travelers from visa-exempt nationalities to visit the United States of America, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands for stays of up to 90 days.
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This online application system was introduced by the US government in 2009 to facilitate the process of applying for a US visa waiver for purposes of tourism, business, or to transit through the country to another destination.
ESTA for the United States is available to visitors of 39 nationalities in the US visa waiver program. Passengers simply have to complete a quick online form to receive an approved ESTA linked to the traveler’s passport. This only takes a few minutes to complete.
An approved ESTA is a multiple–entry travel authorization. This means the holder can travel to the United States multiple times on commercial flights or cruises during its period of validity (2 years from the date of issue, or until the current passport expires). It is also important that the approved ESTA application has up-to-date personal information.
Holders of an ESTA may stay in the USA for up to 90 days with each approved entry to the country.
ESTA is not required if entering the US by land, or by local ferries from Canada. It is mandatory for all passengers under the visa waiver program arriving by air or by cruise ship.
Visa-exempt individuals who wish to travel to the USA for longer than 3 consecutive months at a time, or for purposes other than business or tourism, will be required to apply for one of the different types of visa for the United States.
This may be a work visa, student visa, or another visa type depending on the purpose of the stay. All of these US visa options must be applied for by making an appointment at a US embassy, consulate, or other US diplomatic government office.
Find below a list of all the nationalities required to apply for a US ESTA.