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United States ESTA

e-Visa / ETA Americas | ESTA

Last updated

August 7, 2026

✈️ Before You Go

Before you book that flight, check your ESTA status—it’s not a visa, but it’s mandatory for citizens of 40+ Visa Waiver countries. Apply at least 72 hours before departure, but don’t trust that minimum: approval can take days if your name matches a watchlist, or if you’ve visited Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen since 2011. First-timers are shocked that ESTA is tied to your passport number—renew your passport? You need a new ESTA. Also, the $40.27 fee is only paid online, and scams charge $100+ for the same form. From frequent visitors: apply for ESTA the moment you book your trip, even if it’s months out—it’s valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. And print the approval email; some airlines ask to see it at check-in, even though the system is electronic. Don’t let a bureaucratic slip ruin your American adventure—ESTA is easy, but only if you respect its quirks.

⚠️ Important Notes

Application Window

Apply at least 72 hours before departure. Most applications approved within minutes. Valid for 2 years.

💰

Cost

Application fee USD 40.27 (2026 rate incl. operational fee + tourism promotion + surcharge), paid online by credit card

Fees are subject to change — always confirm on the official site.

  • Only the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov charges the real fee — any site charging more is a third-party agent
  • ESTA is valid for 2 years or until passport expiry (whichever comes first). Renew after getting a new passport
  • Every traveler including children and infants needs their own separate ESTA
  • Answer eligibility questions truthfully — travel to Cuba, Iran, etc. or criminal records must be disclosed
  • ESTA approval does not guarantee entry — final decision rests with CBP officer at port of entry
  • ESTA fee increased to $40.27 from Sept 2025 (operational $10.27 + tourism promotion $17 + surcharge $13). Check the official site for latest rates
  • Search engines show many third-party sites charging $80-$120 — always type esta.cbp.dhs.gov directly in your browser
  • Chinese mainland passport holders are NOT eligible for ESTA — you need a B-1/B-2 visa instead
  • CBP offers an official ESTA mobile app (iOS/Android) with NFC passport chip scanning for faster data entry
  • Name change, gender change, or nationality change invalidates your ESTA immediately — reapply even if passport is still valid

📋 Application Field Guide

Field Name Tips & Notes
Passport Information

Passport Information

Passport must be valid 6+ months beyond departure and be an e-Passport for VWP eligibility.
Personal Information

Personal Information

Must match the passport exactly — spelling differences can cause refusal.
US Address & Contact

US Address & Contact

Enter your first night's US address, e.g. your hotel. Use the first hotel if no fixed address.
Eligibility Questions

Eligibility Questions

Answer all questions truthfully — concealment results in refusal with little recourse.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

💡 Before You Start

Gather these items before you begin: your passport, a valid credit card, and your planned US address ready. Apply at least 72 hours before departure, but earlier is better. Only use the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov; the fee is $40.27, and any site charging more is a third-party service.

1

Account Creation

2fields

Create an account on the official ESTA website to start your application.

Screenshot of the official entry card website

📸 About This Screenshot

This screenshot shows the latest official electronic entry card landing/login page. The step-by-step text guide below is based on the actual form structure, with detailed field instructions and common mistake warnings for your reference.

Email Address

emailRequired

Enter a valid email address that you check regularly. This will be used for all correspondence and to retrieve your application. Use the same email for all travelers in your group if you are applying for multiple people.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a rarely-checked email address, missing important updates
  • Typing the email incorrectly, leading to failed account verification

Password

passwordRequired

Create a strong password with at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Do not use easily guessable information like birthdates or names. Store it securely as you will need it to check your application status.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a weak password that is easy to guess
  • Forgetting the password and being unable to access the application
2

Passport Information

4fields

Enter your passport details exactly as they appear on your passport.

Passport Number

textRequired

Enter the passport number exactly as printed on the biographical page of your passport. It is typically 6-9 alphanumeric characters. Do not include spaces or hyphens. Be careful to distinguish between the letter 'O' and the digit '0', and the letter 'I' and the digit '1'.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the letter 'O' with the digit '0'
  • Including spaces or hyphens in the passport number

Passport Issuance Date

dateRequired

Enter the date your passport was issued, in the format MM/DD/YYYY. This is found on the biographical page of your passport. Use the exact date printed, not an approximation.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering the expiration date instead of the issuance date
  • Using the wrong date format (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY)

Passport Expiration Date

dateRequired

Enter the expiration date of your passport in MM/DD/YYYY format. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in the United States. If your passport expires soon, consider renewing it before applying for ESTA.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering the issuance date instead of the expiration date
  • Not checking that the passport is valid for 6 months beyond the stay

Passport Country of Issuance

selectRequired

Select the country that issued your passport from the dropdown list. This should be the country of your nationality, not necessarily your country of residence. If you have dual citizenship, use the passport you will travel with.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting the country of residence instead of the country of issuance
  • Choosing the wrong country due to similar names or confusion
3

Personal Information

4fields

Provide your full name, date of birth, and other personal details as they appear on your passport.

First Name (Given Name)

textRequired

Enter your first name exactly as it appears on your passport. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions. If your name has multiple parts, include all of them as shown on the passport.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a nickname instead of the legal name
  • Omitting a middle name that is part of the given name

Last Name (Family Name)

textRequired

Enter your last name exactly as it appears on your passport. If you have a compound surname, include it in full. Do not use initials.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using initials instead of the full last name
  • Misspelling the last name due to transliteration differences

Date of Birth

dateRequired

Enter your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. This must match your passport exactly. Use the calendar picker or type it manually, ensuring the year is correct.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering the date in the wrong format (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY)
  • Making a typo in the year, especially for older travelers

Gender

radioRequired

Select the gender marker that matches your passport. Options are typically 'Male' or 'Female'. If your passport has an 'X' marker, select the option that corresponds to your passport.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting a gender that does not match the passport
  • Leaving the field blank by mistake
4

Travel Details

3fields

Provide information about your planned travel to the United States, including your address while in the US.

US Contact Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)

textRequired

Enter the address where you will stay in the United States. This could be a hotel, a friend's or relative's home, or a business address. Include the street address, city, state, and ZIP code. If you are staying at multiple locations, provide the first address of your stay.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering a home address instead of the US address
  • Forgetting to include the ZIP code or entering an incorrect one

Phone Number (US or International)

textRequired

Enter a phone number where you can be reached. If you have a US number, use the format XXX-XXX-XXXX. For international numbers, include the country code. This is used for contact purposes only.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering a number without the country code for international numbers
  • Using a disconnected or incorrect number

Intended Date of Arrival in the US

dateRequired

Enter the date you plan to arrive in the United States, in MM/DD/YYYY format. This should be your first entry into the US on this trip. If your plans change, you can update this information later, but it should be as accurate as possible.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering the departure date instead of the arrival date
  • Using a date that is too far in the future (more than 90 days)
5

Eligibility Questions

3fields

Answer a series of yes/no questions about your health, criminal history, and previous travel to certain countries.

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance?

radioRequired

Answer 'Yes' if you have any arrest or conviction for such crimes, even if the record was expunged or sealed. If you answer 'Yes', you will likely be ineligible for ESTA and may need to apply for a visa at a US embassy. Be honest; providing false information can result in permanent ineligibility.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Answering 'No' to hide a past conviction, risking permanent ineligibility
  • Misunderstanding the scope of 'moral turpitude' and answering incorrectly

Have you ever visited Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011?

radioRequired

Answer 'Yes' if you have traveled to any of these countries on or after March 1, 2011. This includes any visits, even if for tourism or business. If you answer 'Yes', you may still be eligible for ESTA if you are a citizen of a VWP country, but you may need to provide additional details. Be truthful; this information is checked against travel records.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting a past visit to one of these countries
  • Assuming the question only applies to recent travel

Do you have a communicable disease of public health significance or a physical or mental disorder that may pose a threat to public safety?

radioRequired

Answer 'Yes' only if you have a condition that is specifically listed by US public health authorities as a communicable disease of public health significance (e.g., tuberculosis, syphilis, etc.) or a disorder that poses a threat. Most common illnesses do not apply. If you are unsure, consult the official guidance or a medical professional.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Answering 'Yes' for a common illness like a cold or flu
  • Answering 'No' when you have a listed condition, risking denial at the border
6

Review and Confirmation

1fields

Review all the information you have entered for accuracy before submitting your application.

Review All Entries

textRequired

Carefully review every field on the summary page. Check that your name, passport number, and dates are exactly as they appear on your passport. Any discrepancy can lead to denial or delays at the border. Use the 'Edit' buttons to correct any errors before proceeding.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Skipping the review and submitting with errors
  • Not checking that the passport number matches exactly
7

Payment and Submission

3fields

Pay the application fee and submit your ESTA application.

Payment Method (Credit Card)

selectRequired

Select your credit card type (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover). The fee is $40.27 USD as of 2026. Ensure your card has sufficient funds and is enabled for international transactions. The payment is processed securely on the official website.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a card that is not accepted or has insufficient funds
  • Entering the card number incorrectly, causing payment failure

Card Number

textRequired

Enter your 16-digit credit card number without spaces or hyphens. Double-check the number for accuracy. Do not use a prepaid card that may not be accepted for international transactions.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering spaces or hyphens in the card number
  • Using a card that is expired or not authorized for online payments

Expiration Date and CVV

textRequired

Enter the card's expiration date (MM/YY) and the 3-digit CVV code on the back of the card (or 4-digit on the front for American Express). These are required for payment processing.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering the CVV incorrectly, especially for American Express
  • Using an expired card or entering the wrong expiration date
Apply on Official Site
Free to use Last Confirmed: August 7, 2026

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