Do you require a visa to visit the USA?

If you're not a US citizen, there are a few steps to take before you can enjoy a vacation in the USA.

These steps may include filling out forms, answering numerous questions, and possibly attending a visa application interview. However, don’t let worries about the visa process deter you.

With some careful planning, you'll be able to stand atop the Empire State Building or hike into the Grand Canyon in no time.

Begin preparing for your journey with our comprehensive guide to understanding visa requirements for US travel. Keep in mind that rules can change, so always verify the latest information on the US State Department and US Customs and Border Protection websites.

Who is eligible for visa-free travel to the USA?

If you're a citizen of one of the 40 nations included in the USA’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you can travel for business or leisure without a visa, provided your stay is 90 days or less. This includes countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most EU nations.

Even if your visa requirement is waived, you will need a passport along with authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This is mandatory regardless of whether you arrive by land, sea, or air. For air or sea travel, authorization must be obtained before boarding your transport.

If you're traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay, unless an exception applies due to specific agreements. Additionally, it must be an e-passport, featuring an electronic chip for enhanced security and a machine-readable zone on your bio page.

Once you're admitted to the US, you can take brief trips to Mexico and Canada and return, but remember these excursions will count against your 90-day limit.

As a Canadian with a Canadian passport, you can enter the US for up to 90 days without needing a visa or ESTA authorization. Conversely, Mexican citizens must obtain either a visa or a Border Crossing Card to visit the US.

Be mindful that if you've been to certain designated countries, such as Cuba, Iran, Iraq, or Somalia, during the specified periods outlined in the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, you might be ineligible for visa-free travel.

Essential information about ESTA authorization

To acquire ESTA authorization, you must register online with the Department of Homeland Security at least 72 hours prior to your arrival. Once approved, your ESTA is usually valid for two years and can be used for multiple trips.

The application fee is $21, which must be paid online. To complete your application, you will need a valid email address, home address, phone number, and the information of an emergency contact.

After submitting your application, you will receive one of three outcomes: Authorization Approved (usually within minutes), Authorization Pending (check back within 72 hours), or Travel Not Authorized. If your travel is not authorized, you will need to apply for a visa instead.

If your country is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, you need to apply for a tourist visa prior to your visit to the US.

For more details about ESTA, check out the US Customs and Border Protection’s ESTA Frequently Asked Questions page.

Crossing the Border from Canada or Mexico

The US shares over 100 official border crossings with Canada to the north and nearly 50 with Mexico to the south. While it's generally straightforward to enter either country from the US, re-entry can be problematic without the necessary documentation. Some border points are open 24/7, but many have limited hours.

Some of the busiest entry points with Canada include the routes between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario; Buffalo, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario; and Blaine, Washington and Douglas, British Columbia.

The primary US-Mexico border crossings include San Diego, California to Tijuana; Nogales, Arizona to Nogales, Sonora; El Paso, Texas to Ciudad Juárez; and Brownsville, Texas to Matamoros.

US Customs and Border Protection offers current wait times for border checkpoints and airports on their website. Always ensure your documents are ready, remain courteous, and avoid making jokes or casual remarks with US border officials.

Key information on how to secure a visa

There are two categories of visas for foreign nationals traveling to the USA: nonimmigrant visas for temporary visits and immigrant visas for those seeking permanent residency. Nonimmigrant visas include options for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or a combination of both (B-1/B-2).

Except for Canadian citizens and those entering through the Visa Waiver Program, all foreign visitors must obtain a tourist visa from a US consulate or embassy in their home country. Most applicants will need to arrange a personal interview and provide all necessary documentation.

Interview wait times can differ greatly and may extend to several months. Once your application is approved, it may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to issue the visa. You can check wait times for interviews at specific embassies and consulates.

You are required to complete a DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form and present its confirmation page at your interview. Additionally, you’ll need a recent photograph and must pay a nonrefundable processing fee of $185. Bring your payment receipt to the interview, and in certain situations, you might also need to pay an extra visa-issuance reciprocity fee.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from the USA, though exceptions may apply based on specific agreements with your home country. Visa applicants must demonstrate financial stability (or provide evidence that a US resident will support them), present a round-trip or onward ticket, and show 'binding ties' to ensure their return home, such as family connections, property, or employment.

Given these requirements, travelers intending to go through other countries before reaching the USA are usually better off securing a US tourist visa while still in their home country instead of applying while en route.

The widely-used B-2 nonimmigrant visitor's visa, designed for tourism or visiting friends and family, permits multiple entries. The validity period is contingent on your home country and your application. The actual duration of your stay in the USA will be decided by US immigration officials at the port of entry when you receive an admission stamp or Form I-94, which indicates your arrival and departure dates.

If your purpose for visiting the USA is to work or study, you will require a different visa, which should be arranged by the company or institution you are visiting.

To prolong your stay, you must seek approval on Form I-539 before your visit concludes. Avoid overstaying your authorized period without permission, as this may lead to deportation and/or a ban on future entry. It's advisable to submit your request at least 45 days prior to your planned departure.

Immigration officers hold ultimate authority

Regardless of your visa status or ESTA approval, US immigration officers possess the final authority to deny entry to the country or impose specific conditions for admission.

They might inquire about your travel plans and financial means; having a detailed itinerary, an onward or round-trip ticket, and at least one major credit card is advisable.