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United States of America Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Yes | Yes | No |
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | No | No |
| EU | Yes | Yes | See below |
| USA | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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To enter the United States, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay for some nationalities. For others, the U.S. requires that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers intending to enter the U.S. by land, sea and air are required to obtain an approved ESTA before travelling. You can apply for an ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta or using the ESTA Mobile app on android or iOS.
Please note that travellers who have been to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen on or after March 2011 cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver. Additionally, travellers who have been to Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 also cannot apply for an ESTA.
Canadians do not need to apply for ESTA. They can stay in the U.S. for up to six months without a visa for tourism or business.
Nationals of the following 43 countries can travel to the United States for tourism or business without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Asia: Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
South America: Chile.
Middle East: Qatar.
Tourist, business, transit and student visas: US$185.
For ESTA, it costs US $21 if you apply directly on the ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
An ESTA is valid for two years from the date of authorisation, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
The validity of a U.S. visa depends on its type, as different visas come with different durations and conditions.
If you have a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport, you can still use it for travel to the United States as long as the visa is unexpired, undamaged, and matches your intended purpose of travel. Both your expired and new passports must be from the same country. When travelling, you should carry both passports (the expired one containing the valid visa and your new, valid passport). Do not remove the visa from the expired passport, as doing so will render it invalid.
Travellers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need a transit visa (C visa) but must obtain ESTA approval before their trip. When completing the ESTA application, they should select "In Transit" as their purpose of travel and specify their final destination outside the United States.
For travellers not eligible for the VWP, a C visa (Transit Visa) is required and must be obtained from a U.S. embassy or consulate before travel. This applies to those whose nationality is not part of the Visa Waiver Program or who do not qualify for ESTA.
If a traveller intends to leave the airport or has a long layover, a B-1/B-2 visa (Visitor Visa) may be required instead of a C visa, depending on their circumstances. As visa rules can vary, it is always advisable to check with a U.S. embassy or consulate before making travel arrangements.
For ESTA, you can apply directly on the ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
For other types of visas, visit or contact an embassy or consulate near you.
In most cases, applications for temporary residence in the U.S. must be submitted from the applicant's home country at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Some visa types may require an interview, and certain extensions or status changes can be processed within the U.S.
If you're an ESTA applicant, you will get an answer within 72 hours.
For other visa types, the length of time it takes to process your visa varies widely. At the U.S. Embassy in the UK, you are advised to allow 3-5 working days from the date of the visa interview for your application to be processed. In some cases, the application process can take up to six months or even longer.
The U.S. consulate may require proof of sufficient funds to support your visa application. For more information, check the U.S. Embassy website (usembassy.gov).
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries cannot apply to extend their stay beyond the 90-day limit. Travellers on other visa types may request an extension by filing Form I-539 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their authorised stay expires. Approval is subject to eligibility and supporting documentation.
Children travelling with only one parent or with adults who are not their legal guardians are strongly advised to carry a notarised letter of consent from the non-travelling parent(s) or legal guardian(s). This letter should grant permission for the child to leave their home country and enter the United States. If a parent has sole custody, it is recommended to bring official court custody documents as proof. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may request these documents to prevent child abduction and trafficking concerns. For more details, visit www.cbp.gov.
Visitors who have been arrested (even if not convicted), have a criminal record, or have certain communicable diseases may not be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and must apply for a U.S. visa instead. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis, and waivers may be available for some ineligible applicants. Travellers with concerns should consult the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before making travel plans.
Travellers bringing pets into the United States must comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations. The requirements vary depending on the type of animal:
• Dogs: Must meet vaccination and health certificate requirements. Dogs arriving from countries classified as high risk for rabies must have additional documentation and may be subject to quarantine.
• Cats: Generally do not require a rabies vaccination certificate but must be in good health upon arrival.
• Birds: Require a special import permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and may be subject to quarantine.
• Other Animals: Requirements vary by species. Some exotic pets (e.g., turtles, rodents, and certain reptiles) may have restrictions.
It is strongly recommended to check with the airline, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and CDC well in advance of travel. For the most up-to-date requirements, visit www.cdc.gov and www.aphis.usda.gov.
Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.
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