If you are planning a trip to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you need a USA ESTA before boarding your flight, like UK ETA. ESTA is short for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an online approval that lets eligible travelers visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without applying for a full visa.
What is USA ESTA?
The USA ESTA is not a visa. It is a digital travel authorization checked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). With an approved ESTA, you can fly to the U.S. for tourism, business meetings, or transit. The final decision to let you in is always made by border officers when you arrive.
Who needs USA ESTA?
You must apply for USA ESTA if you:
Are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country
Plan to stay 90 days or less
Travel for tourism, business, or transit
Have a biometric passport (an e-passport with a chip)
If you have a criminal record, overstayed a U.S. visa before, or visited certain restricted countries, you may not qualify. In that case, you need to apply for a standard U.S. visa instead.
USA ESTA validity
The USA ESTA is valid for two years from the date of approval. However, if your passport expires before that time, the ESTA will automatically expire on the same date as your passport. During the validity period, you can use your ESTA for multiple trips to the United States, but each stay must not be longer than 90 days.
If you renew or replace your passport, or if your personal details such as name, gender, nationality, or answers to eligibility questions change, you must apply for a new ESTA even if your old one has not yet expired.
How to apply for USA ESTA in 5 steps
Applying for the USA ESTA is quick and fully online:
Fill in your personal and passport details.
Answer the eligibility questions honestly.
Pay the fee online.
Get a decision—often within minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours.
Your USA ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this time, you can use it for multiple trips to the U.S.
Can I travel to the U.S. without an ESTA?
If you are from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you must have an approved ESTA to board a flight or ship bound for the U.S. without a visa. Without ESTA you can be denied boarding or denied entry.
If your country is not in the VWP, then you cannot use ESTA—you would need to apply for a U.S. visa at an embassy or consulate.
What is the difference between ESTA and an e-visa?
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is not a visa. It’s a travel authorization used under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If you are from a VWP country, you apply for ESTA online and, if approved, you can travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa.
An e-visa, on the other hand, is a visa you apply for and receive electronically before travel. It functions as a legal visa and often allows more flexibility (longer stays, certain permitted activities) than a VWP/ESTA trip.
In short: ESTA is for short-term entry without a visa (for eligible countries), while e-visas are actual visas issued online for people who are not eligible for visa-free entry.
