Apply for your U.S. ESTA online
Fast approval for your United States ESTA, the travel authorization for Visa Waiver Program countries. Avoid errors with iVisa before you travel.
U.S. ESTA requirements
All visa-exempt travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain a U.S. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before entering the United States for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, transit, or medical treatment.
What is an ESTA? It is the online clearance the United States requires from Visa Waiver Program travelers instead of a visa: you apply online before you travel, and once approved the authorization is linked electronically to your passport rather than stamped into it.
Required documents for the U.S. ESTA
Requirements verified against official government sources
- An e-passport valid for the entire stay (with the gold camera-like icon on the front cover)
- Valid email address
- Home address and phone number
- Emergency contact details (email and phone)
Requirements may vary depending on nationality.
U.S. ESTA pricing and validity
One all-in price. The checkout total includes our service fee, expert review, and support — no surprises.
U.S. ESTATravel authorisation
From$129.99
- The Visa Waiver Program
- The ESTA exists because of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the visa exemption scheme that lets citizens of participating countries visit for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. You still need an approved ESTA before you travel: the waiver removes the visa, not the authorization. Visa Waiver Program countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, most EU nations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel and Qatar.
- Who it's for
- Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries — including the United Kingdom, most EU nations, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Qatar — traveling to the United States for a short visit. Travelers who already hold a valid U.S. visa matching their purpose of travel do not need one.
- Permitted activities
- Tourism, visiting family and friends, business and transit. Work, study, living in the United States, and any change, extension or adjustment of immigration status are not permitted. Medical treatment falls under the B1/B2 visa instead.
- How you travel
- An ESTA is required whether you arrive by air, sea or land. Approval is mandatory before you board, but it does not guarantee entry — a border officer makes that decision at passport control.
- Delivery format
- There is no label or stamp in your passport. The authorization is linked electronically to your passport number, and you receive an email confirmation once it is approved. Authorities recommend carrying a printed copy of your confirmation.
- Good to know
- Every traveler needs their own ESTA, infants included. If you are issued a new passport you must apply again, because passport details cannot be amended after submission. Travelers who have visited Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya or Yemen since March 2011 are generally ineligible and should apply for a B1/B2 visa.
- Validity
- Valid for 2 years
- Entry
- Multiple entry
- Length of stay
- Stay up to 90 days per entry
- Processing time
- Get it in as fast as 1 hour
How to apply for your U.S. ESTA
Complete the application
Answer a few simple questions and upload your documents, choose your processing speed, and pay securely. Most travelers finish in minutes.
We review and submit your application
Our experts check your application for the errors that cause government rejections, fix them with you, then submit it directly to the United States government on your behalf.
Receive your U.S. ESTA
Once approved, your U.S. ESTA arrives by email — ready to travel, with clear instructions on how to use it.
I needed to obtain a visa approval quickly. Had no idea I needed one to travel to the USA, a little research later prompted me to choose this route, needed no hiccups and to resolve quickly
Only 3 stars as I didn’t know I’d have to upload photos and I was using the PC and I struggled with this. Notification about this before starting the application I could have used my phone or iPad. Response from Help Team was very effective as it was from human beings and not a ‘bot’. ESTA was received in about 3 hours and not 24 as expected.
After trying to log in for 60 minutes we got through and only took us 5 min to complete
Fast, easy, and reliable service. That was my first application for a USA visa. I was sure it would not go smoothly, but I am surprised and grateful.
It was easy to use and understand. Also received the ESTA in such a short time after I completed it.
The service was a spot on, helpful, fast just as promised. Just when you needed the most help in an urgent time and bang on, with the time given and received it just as promised. Thank you so very much.
easy and straightforward choosing country code was very time consuming set the same country code of the passport as default
It was very positive and easy to apply form with important checks required for Visa. Thank you for your service!
The whole procedure was very quick and efficient. The assistance I received was excellent: professional, kind, helpful and very responsive throughout the entire process. I truly appreciated the courtesy and competence of the staff. A very positive experience, and I would definitely recommend their service.
A highly reliable platform that streamlined our workflow. The interface is intuitive, and the core features deliver exactly what is promised without unnecessary complexity. Highly recommended
United States visa FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about the U.S. ESTA.
Still have questions?
Our visa experts are available 24/7 on chat, email, and WhatsApp.
What is a U.S. ESTA?
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is the online clearance the U.S. government requires from citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries before they travel to the United States, and it covers stays of up to 90 days for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or transit. There is no stamp or label: once approved, the authorization is linked electronically to your passport number and you receive an email confirmation.
Is an ESTA a visa?
No. Travelers often search for an ESTA visa, but an ESTA is a travel authorization, not a visa. You apply for it online, it is linked electronically to your passport, and it only covers short visits under the Visa Waiver Program. A U.S. visa is issued by an Embassy or Consulate and is stamped into your passport, usually after an in-person interview, though some applicants qualify for a waiver. If you are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which visa you need depends on your trip: the B1/B2 visa covers tourism and business, while transit, study and work each have their own category.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is the U.S. visa exemption scheme that lets citizens of participating countries travel to the United States for tourism, business or transit for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. It does not remove the need for an approved ESTA, which every Visa Waiver traveler must hold before boarding. An ESTA is a travel authorization, not a visa.
Which countries are in the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program covers around 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, most EU nations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel and Qatar. The list is set by the U.S. government and changes as countries are added or suspended, so check your own nationality before you book. Start your application and iVisa confirms whether your passport qualifies for an ESTA or whether you need a B1/B2 visa instead.
Do I need a U.S. ESTA or visa to travel to the United States?
Citizens from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries — such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, Qatar, and many EU nations — require a U.S. ESTA for short visits. Longer stays or non-VWP citizens need a U.S. B1/B2 visa instead.
How will I receive the U.S. ESTA?
The authorization is digitally linked to your passport number. Once approved, you will receive an email confirmation.
How long can I stay in the United States with an ESTA?
You can stay in the United States for up to 90 days per visit without a visa. The ESTA itself is generally valid for two years, or until your passport expires.
How long does U.S. ESTA processing take?
While most applications are approved within minutes, the U.S. government advises that it can take up to 72 hours.
Do children or minors need a U.S. ESTA?
Yes. Every traveler, including infants and children, must have their own individual ESTA linked to their own e-passport.
Do I need the U.S. ESTA to transit in the United States?
Yes. The U.S. does not have a transit-only area that allows you to bypass immigration.
What happens if my U.S. ESTA application is denied?
If your ESTA is denied, you must apply for a B1/B2 Visitor Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Can I extend my U.S. ESTA?
No. An ESTA stay cannot be extended or renewed while you are in the United States.
iVisa vs. the official U.S. ESTA site
Why travelers choose iVisa
On your own
- Incomplete applications are deleted after 7 days and reboot after 30 minutes of inactivity.
- Verify your email address before you can complete the form.
- Plain form, ~23 minutes, easy to slip up under pressure.
- The official site adds stress — many worry a mistake gets them flagged or rejected.
- FAQ desk and a U.S. phone number — hard if you can't call internationally.
- Progress is always saved, for individuals and groups.
- No barriers — start straight away.
- Guided form, ~21 minutes, with Google address input and AI photo help.
- A simpler, friendlier flow that takes the pressure off.
- Round-the-clock support via WhatsApp, chat, phone and email.
Other travel documents for United States
United States visa requirements for other passport holders
- United States visa for British citizens
- United States visa for Australian citizens
- United States visa for Japanese citizens
- United States visa for German citizens
- United States visa for French citizens
- United States visa for Irish citizens
- United States visa for New Zealand citizens
- United States visa for Italian citizens
- United States visa for Israeli citizens
- United States visa for Dutch citizens
- United States visa for Swiss citizens
- United States visa for Belgian citizens
- United States visa for Portuguese citizens
- United States visa for Swedish citizens
- United States visa for Polish citizens
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