United States visa and entry requirements

CBP says the Visa Waiver Program lets citizens of 42 countries travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa; ESTA applicants must be citizens or eligible nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country, and the application fee is $40.27 (an approved ESTA is valid for two years or until the passport expires). Under 8 CFR 212.1 a visa is generally not required for Canadian citizens. The non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa fee is $185, and the State Department says nonimmigrant visa applicants should schedule their interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence or nationality. A December 2025 presidential proclamation suspends and limits the entry of nationals of the countries it lists, subject to exceptions and case-by-case waivers.

Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 25, 2026· How this site works

Check requirements for your passport

Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.

Visas & entry authorisations

ESTA — Electronic System for Travel Authorization

Fee
40.27 USD
Processing
—
Validity
730 days
Stay per entry
90 days
Entries
multiple

Payable by MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover or PayPal. The ESTA site says every applicant is charged $10.27 for processing, plus $30.00 if the application is approved (the $17 travel promotion fee and the $13 General Fund fee); applicants who are denied are charged only for processing. A DHS notice in the Federal Register sets the fee at $40.62 from 16 October 2026.

When to apply: The Department of Homeland Security recommends applying when travel plans are made.

Documents the application asks for

  • Passport — Valid, from a Visa Waiver Program country.
  • Selfie photo
Apply on the official site Verified Oct 7, 2026 · esta.cbp.dhs.gov · Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-145) · esta.cbp.dhs.gov says If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country and you enter the U.S. by land from Mexico or Canada, an ESTA is not required · archived copy

B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa (Business/Tourism)

Fee
185 USD
Processing
—

The law requires a visa integrity fee, of at least $250 for fiscal year 2025, from any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of issuance (Pub. L. 119-21, s. 100007); no official source we could read states whether it is being collected yet. The UK government says visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited.

Apply on the official site Verified Oct 7, 2026 · ecfr.gov · 22 CFR 22.1, Items 21(a) · archived copy

F-1 Student Visa

Fee
185 USD
Processing
—

Plus the I-901 SEVIS fee of $350 for F or M visa applicants. You are expected to have the original Form I-20 at your visa interview. Under a DHS final rule, students are admitted for a fixed period based on the programme on their Form I-20, not exceeding four years, plus 30 days for arrival and 30 days for departure; students who need more time must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay, or depart and obtain a new period of admission from CBP on re-entry.

Apply on the official site Verified Oct 7, 2026 · ecfr.gov · 22 CFR 22.1, Item 21(a) · archived copy

Entry requirements

Passport validity

CBP says visitors must have passports valid for six months beyond their intended stay, and that citizens of the countries on its exemption list need only a passport valid for their intended period of stay. The list includes the UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India and the Bahamas, among others.

Verified Oct 6, 2026 · cbp.gov · archived copyCompare every country

Vaccinations

Not officially stated

No official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.

Travel insurance

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for the United States. The UK government says medical treatment in the US is expensive and that some hospitals ask non-US residents to pay a deposit when admitted.

Verified Oct 4, 2026 · gov.uk

Onward or return ticket

Required

Under 8 CFR 217.2, Visa Waiver Program travellers arriving by air or sea must have a round-trip ticket out of the United States, one that ends in contiguous territory or an adjacent island only if they live there. Those arriving at a land border must show evidence of financial solvency and a home abroad to which they intend to return.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · ecfr.gov · 8 CFR 217.2(a) and (c)

Proof of funds

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a fixed amount. Under 8 CFR 217.2, Visa Waiver Program travellers arriving at a land border must show evidence of financial solvency and a home abroad to which they intend to return. The State Department says visitor visa applicants may be asked for additional documents to establish whether they are qualified.

Verified Oct 6, 2026 · cbp.gov · archived copy

Staying past your permitted stay

Staying after the authorized period of stay expires is unlawful presence. Unless an exception applies, a person who accrued more than 180 days but less than 1 year of unlawful presence in a single stay, and left before removal proceedings began, is inadmissible if they seek admission again within 3 years of leaving. A person who accrued 1 year or more is inadmissible if they seek admission again within 10 years of leaving or being removed.

Verified Oct 12, 2026 · uscis.gov · Immigration and Nationality Act §212(a)(9)(B)(i) and §212(a)(9)(C)(i)(I)Compare every country

Other compulsory government charges

  • Immigration inspection fee — $7 per individual; the law does not name the currency. Included in the air ticket.

    The law sets a fee of $7 per individual for the immigration inspection of each passenger arriving at a US port of entry aboard a commercial aircraft or commercial vessel, or for preinspection abroad before such arrival; the law does not name the currency. Air or sea carriers, travel agents, tour wholesalers and others who issue tickets must collect it from all passengers transported to the United States who are not excepted under 8 CFR 286.3.

    Exemptions: Passengers excepted under 8 CFR 286.3.

Verified Oct 12, 2026 · govinfo.gov · 8 U.S.C. 1356(d) (INA §286(d)); 8 CFR part 286Compare every country

Customs & currency

CBP says anyone who brings, sends or receives currency or monetary instruments totalling more than $10,000 at one time into or out of the United States must report it, on FinCEN Form 105.

  • CBP says prohibited agricultural items that are not declared are confiscated, and that civil penalties for failing to declare them may range up to $1,000 for a first-time offense with non-commercial quantities.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · cbp.gov · archived copy

Country in a nutshell

Currency
US dollar (USD, $)
Safety — Generally safe
The UK government says violent crime and gun crime rarely affect tourists but to take care in unfamiliar areas, and that protests are common and can become violent.Verified Oct 6, 2026 · gov.uk
Power plugs
A, B · 120V 60Hz
Emergency numbers
General emergencies: 911
Languages
English
Time zone
UTC-10 to UTC-5 (some areas observe summer time)
International Driving Permit

The United States is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (UN Treaty Collection). The UK government says you may need the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well as a UK photocard driving licence to drive in the US, and that IDP requirements vary in each state. No official US source we could read states whether a permit is required in addition to a national licence.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · treaties.un.org · Convention on Road Traffic Compare every country
Tap water
safe to drink

Best time to visit

No official source we could read gives seasonal guidance for the United States. The UK government says the Atlantic hurricane season normally runs from June to November and the Pacific season from May to November.

Tips & warnings

Apply for ESTA on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov, where the application fee is $40.27. A DHS notice in the Federal Register sets it at $40.62 from 16 October 2026.

DHS recommends applying for ESTA as soon as you know you will travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Under 8 CFR 217.5, Visa Waiver Program travellers by air, sea or land must receive a travel authorization, and CBP encourages travellers to apply at least 72 hours before arriving at a U.S. land port of entry.

The UK government says visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited and advises planning your application as far ahead as possible before travel.

The UK government says medical treatment in the US is expensive and that some hospitals ask non-US residents to pay a deposit when admitted.

Visa requirements by nationality

PassportsVisas & entry authorisationsMax stay
AfghanistanEntry restricted—
AlbaniaEmbassy visa—
AlgeriaEmbassy visa—
AndorraETA90 days
AngolaEmbassy visa—
Antigua and BarbudaEmbassy visa—
ArgentinaEmbassy visa—
ArmeniaEmbassy visa—
AustraliaETA90 days
AustriaETA90 days
AzerbaijanEmbassy visa—
BahamasVisa-free—
BahrainEmbassy visa—
BangladeshEmbassy visa—
BarbadosEmbassy visa—
BelarusEmbassy visa—
BelgiumETA90 days
BelizeEmbassy visa—
BeninEmbassy visa—
BhutanEmbassy visa—
BoliviaEmbassy visa—
Bosnia and HerzegovinaEmbassy visa—
BotswanaEmbassy visa—
BrazilEmbassy visa—
BruneiETA90 days
BulgariaEmbassy visa—
Burkina FasoEntry restricted—
BurundiEmbassy visa—
Cabo VerdeEmbassy visa—
CambodiaEmbassy visa—
CameroonEmbassy visa—
CanadaVisa-free—
Central African RepublicEmbassy visa—
ChadEntry restricted—
ChileETA90 days
ChinaEmbassy visa—
ColombiaEmbassy visa—
ComorosEmbassy visa—
Costa RicaEmbassy visa—
Côte d'IvoireEmbassy visa—
CroatiaETA90 days
CubaEmbassy visa—
CyprusEmbassy visa—
CzechiaETA90 days
Democratic Republic of the CongoEmbassy visa—
DenmarkETA90 days
DjiboutiEmbassy visa—
DominicaEmbassy visa—
Dominican RepublicEmbassy visa—
EcuadorEmbassy visa—
EgyptEmbassy visa—
El SalvadorEmbassy visa—
Equatorial GuineaEntry restricted—
EritreaEntry restricted—
EstoniaETA90 days
EswatiniEmbassy visa—
EthiopiaEmbassy visa—
FijiEmbassy visa—
FinlandETA90 days
FranceETA90 days
GabonEmbassy visa—
GambiaEmbassy visa—
GeorgiaEmbassy visa—
GermanyETA90 days
GhanaEmbassy visa—
GreeceETA90 days
GrenadaEmbassy visa—
GuatemalaEmbassy visa—
GuineaEmbassy visa—
Guinea-BissauEmbassy visa—
GuyanaEmbassy visa—
HaitiEntry restricted—
HondurasEmbassy visa—
Hong KongEmbassy visa—
HungaryETA90 days
IcelandETA90 days
IndiaEmbassy visa—
IndonesiaEmbassy visa—
IranEntry restricted—
IraqEmbassy visa—
IrelandETA90 days
IsraelETA90 days
ItalyETA90 days
JamaicaEmbassy visa—
JapanETA90 days
JordanEmbassy visa—
KazakhstanEmbassy visa—
KenyaEmbassy visa—
KiribatiEmbassy visa—
KosovoEmbassy visa—
KuwaitEmbassy visa—
KyrgyzstanEmbassy visa—
LaosEntry restricted—
LatviaETA90 days
LebanonEmbassy visa—
LesothoEmbassy visa—
LiberiaEmbassy visa—
LibyaEntry restricted—
LiechtensteinETA90 days
LithuaniaETA90 days
LuxembourgETA90 days
MacauEmbassy visa—
MadagascarEmbassy visa—
MalawiEmbassy visa—
MalaysiaEmbassy visa—
MaldivesEmbassy visa—
MaliEntry restricted—
MaltaETA90 days
Marshall IslandsVisa-free—
MauritaniaEmbassy visa—
MauritiusEmbassy visa—
MexicoEmbassy visa—
MicronesiaVisa-free—
MoldovaEmbassy visa—
MonacoETA90 days
MongoliaEmbassy visa—
MontenegroEmbassy visa—
MoroccoEmbassy visa—
MozambiqueEmbassy visa—
MyanmarEntry restricted—
NamibiaEmbassy visa—
NauruEmbassy visa—
NepalEmbassy visa—
NetherlandsETA90 days
New ZealandETA90 days
NicaraguaEmbassy visa—
NigerEntry restricted—
NigeriaEmbassy visa—
North KoreaEmbassy visa—
North MacedoniaEmbassy visa—
NorwayETA90 days
OmanEmbassy visa—
PakistanEmbassy visa—
PalauVisa-free—
PalestineEntry restricted—
PanamaEmbassy visa—
Papua New GuineaEmbassy visa—
ParaguayEmbassy visa—
PeruEmbassy visa—
PhilippinesEmbassy visa—
PolandETA90 days
PortugalETA90 days
QatarETA90 days
Republic of the CongoEntry restricted—
RomaniaEmbassy visa—
RussiaEmbassy visa—
RwandaEmbassy visa—
Saint Kitts and NevisEmbassy visa—
Saint LuciaEmbassy visa—
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesEmbassy visa—
SamoaEmbassy visa—
San MarinoETA90 days
São Tomé and PríncipeEmbassy visa—
Saudi ArabiaEmbassy visa—
SenegalEmbassy visa—
SerbiaEmbassy visa—
SeychellesEmbassy visa—
Sierra LeoneEntry restricted—
SingaporeETA90 days
SlovakiaETA90 days
SloveniaETA90 days
Solomon IslandsEmbassy visa—
SomaliaEntry restricted—
South AfricaEmbassy visa—
South KoreaETA90 days
South SudanEntry restricted—
SpainETA90 days
Sri LankaEmbassy visa—
SudanEntry restricted—
SurinameEmbassy visa—
SwedenETA90 days
SwitzerlandETA90 days
SyriaEntry restricted—
TaiwanETA90 days
TajikistanEmbassy visa—
TanzaniaEmbassy visa—
ThailandEmbassy visa—
Timor-LesteEmbassy visa—
TogoEmbassy visa—
TongaEmbassy visa—
Trinidad and TobagoEmbassy visa—
TunisiaEmbassy visa—
TurkeyEmbassy visa—
TurkmenistanEmbassy visa—
TuvaluEmbassy visa—
UgandaEmbassy visa—
UkraineEmbassy visa—
United Arab EmiratesEmbassy visa—
United KingdomETA90 days
United StatesFree movement—
UruguayEmbassy visa—
UzbekistanEmbassy visa—
VanuatuEmbassy visa—
Vatican CityEmbassy visa—
VenezuelaEmbassy visa—
VietnamEmbassy visa—
YemenEntry restricted—
ZambiaEmbassy visa—
ZimbabweEmbassy visa—

Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.

Canada2 of 199 passports visa-free · 53 eVisa/ETAMexico64 of 199 passports visa-free · 3 eVisa/ETAUnited Kingdom2 of 199 passports visa-free · 83 eVisa/ETASpain94 of 199 passports visa-freeJapan75 of 199 passports visa-free · 3 eVisa/ETA

Frequently asked questions

What is ESTA and who needs it?

ESTA is the application CBP uses for travel under the Visa Waiver Program; applicants must be citizens or eligible nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country, such as the UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand on DHS's list. The fee is $40.27, and a DHS notice in the Federal Register sets it at $40.62 from 16 October 2026. An approved ESTA is valid for two years or until the passport expires, and the program allows stays of up to 90 days.

How long can I stay in the US with ESTA?

CBP says the Visa Waiver Program allows business or tourism stays of up to 90 days without a visa. The ESTA site says that if you are admitted under the Visa Waiver Program you may not change or extend your non-immigrant status.

How much does a US visitor visa cost?

22 CFR 22.1 sets the fee for a non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa, such as the B-1/B-2 visitor visa, at $185. The law also requires a visa integrity fee, of at least $250 for fiscal year 2025, from any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of issuance; no official source we could read states whether it is being collected yet.

Do Canadian citizens need ESTA or a visa for the US?

Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa: 8 CFR 212.1 says a visa is generally not required for Canadian citizens, with exceptions. ESTA is for citizens or eligible nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country, and Canada is not on DHS's list of Visa Waiver Program countries. CBP says Canadian citizens' passports need only be valid until their intended date of departure.

Is Romania in the US Visa Waiver Program?

No. DHS says the previous administration designated Romania for the Visa Waiver Program on 9 January 2025, that DHS paused implementation on 25 March 2025, and that on 2 May 2025 it rescinded the designation, so Romanian citizens need a visitor visa.

Sources & verification

Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us, with the official source