ESTA Requirements
Before you begin your guided application, let's make sure you have everything you need. We've outlined every requirement below in detail so there are no surprises.
Eligibility Criteria
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is available to citizens of countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Before you begin, please take a moment to carefully verify that you meet all of the following criteria:
- You are a citizen or national of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country
- You plan to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit
- Your intended stay is 90 days or fewer
- You hold a valid e-Passport (machine-readable with a chip)
- You have not previously been denied a U.S. visa or entry to the United States
- You do not hold a current U.S. visa for the purpose of your trip
[SECURITY ADVISORY]
If you are unsure whether your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, our team is here to help. Submit a support request and we will verify your eligibility promptly and thoroughly. There are currently 41 countries in the VWP, and our experts are familiar with the specific requirements for each one.
Documents & Information You'll Need
We recommend gathering all of the following before you begin your guided application. Having these ready will help ensure a smooth experience and allow our team to verify your details efficiently. Let's make sure nothing is forgotten:
Valid e-Passport
Your passport must be machine-readable and contain an electronic chip. It must be issued by a Visa Waiver Program country and be valid for the duration of your intended stay.
Personal Details as on Passport
Your full legal name, date of birth, gender, and country of birth — exactly as printed on your passport. Even small differences (such as a missing middle name) can cause complications.
Travel Itinerary
The name and address of where you will be staying in the United States, as well as a U.S. point of contact (this can be your hotel or host). If you are transiting, provide your onward destination details.
Contact Information
A valid email address where we can send your confirmation and status updates, as well as a phone number where you can be reached if our team needs to verify any details.
Employment Information
Your current employer's name, address, and phone number (if applicable). If you are self-employed, retired, or a student, you will need to indicate this on your application.
Payment Method
A valid credit or debit card to cover the applicable processing fees. Full pricing details are provided transparently during the application process.
Passport Verification Tips
Your passport is the most critical document in the ESTA application process. Our experts see passport-related oversights every day, and we want to help you avoid them. Please take a moment to double-check the following:
- Verify your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your planned travel dates
- Confirm your passport contains an electronic chip (indicated by the chip symbol on the cover)
- Ensure your passport is not damaged — torn pages or a damaged chip may cause processing issues
- If you have recently renewed your passport, make sure to use the details from your new passport, not the old one
[EXPERT NOTE]
Common pitfall we prevent: Many applicants accidentally enter their name in a different order than what appears on their passport, or confuse the letter "O" with the number "0" in their passport number. Our experts carefully verify that your name, date of birth, and passport number match your official travel document exactly — character by character.
We walk you through every field