Visa Waiver Program with ESTA
Official name: Visa Waiver Program (VWP) / Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program countries (including the UK, most of the EU, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Qatar and Taiwan) can visit the US for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa, if they hold an approved ESTA and an e-passport. An ESTA is usually valid for 2 years or until the passport expires. People who have visited Cuba since 12 January 2021, or hold Cuban dual nationality, cannot use the VWP and need a visa.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Entry restrictions apply to 39 passports for United States
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Palestinian Territories
- Republic of the Congo
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Afghanistan
Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Chad
Côte d’Ivoire
Cuba
Dominica
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Gabon
Gambia
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Myanmar (Burma)
Niger
Nigeria
Palestinian Territories
Republic of the Congo
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Togo
Tonga
Venezuela
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweSource: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force
Visiting United States
Add your passport to your profile, or check it here, to see exactly what you need to visit.
What you should know
Recent official changes in United States
- StricterFeesPublished 30 Sept 2026· From 30 Nov 2026
New EB-5 investor visa fees
A final rule adjusts USCIS fees for EB-5 investor filings from 30 November 2026, including a higher Integrity Fund fee ($1,100) and regional center fee ($11,000).
EveryoneOfficial notice - StricterFeesPublished 30 Sept 2026· From 16 Oct 2026
USCIS raises H.R. 1 immigration fees for inflation
Certain fees set by H.R. 1 rise slightly for filings postmarked on or after 16 October 2026, for example the parole fee, the initial asylum/parole/TPS work permit fee and the TPS fee. Filings with the old fee are rejected.
EveryoneOfficial notice - StricterVisasPublished 18 Sept 2026· From 1 Oct 2026
Online presence review extended to I, TN and TD visa applicants
From 1 October 2026, applicants for foreign media (I) and USMCA professional (TN/TD) visas must set all social media profiles to public so consular officers can review them.
EveryoneOfficial notice - StricterFeesPublished 10 Aug 2026· From 9 Sept 2026
9-11 biometric fee now due on all H-1B and L-1 petitions from large H-1B/L employers
Employers with 50+ US staff of whom more than half hold H-1B or L-1 status must pay the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee on every H-1B and L-1 petition filed from 9 September 2026, except amendments that do not extend status.
EveryoneOfficial notice
Notices are summarised in our own words. The official notice is what counts.
Ways to save in United States
Free passes, discounts and programmes from official sources. Those you may qualify for come first.
Admission is free for everyone at all Smithsonian museums except Cooper Hewitt in New York City. A few popular museums need a free timed-entry pass or ticket, so check each museum's page before you go.
EveryoneThe remaining 2026 fee-free days are Oct. 27 (Theodore Roosevelt's birthday) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). They waive entrance fees at NPS sites that charge them, but only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Non-U.S. residents still pay regular and nonresident fees, and reservation or timed-entry fees may still apply.
ResidentsNew permanent residentsNew citizensFamiliesU.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62 or older can buy an annual or lifetime pass covering entrance and standard day-use fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites. You need proof of age and of citizenship or residency, and prices are on the official page.
SeniorsResidentsNew permanent residentsNew citizensU.S. fourth graders, including home-schooled 10-year-olds, get a free pass for 2026–2027 that covers entrance and standard day-use fees at federal recreation sites. The pass covers the child and passengers in one vehicle, or up to three accompanying adults at per-person sites. Get a voucher from the Every Kid Outdoors website first, then use it on Recreation.gov for the digital pass. It is valid September 2026 to August 2027.
StudentsYouthFamiliesResidentsNew permanent residentsNew citizens
Offers and conditions change; check the official page before you go.
Life in United States
Finance
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Tourists and business visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries.
Eligibility
Nationality
Sign in to check this route against your profile- Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom.
- UK: British citizens with unrestricted right of abode only.
- Taiwan: holders of an e-passport with a household registration number.
- Netherlands passports of Curaçao, Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten are excluded.
- Romania is not in the program (designation rescinded 2 May 2025).
E-passport
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow an e-passport with an embedded chip, a two-line machine-readable zone and a digital photo printed on the data page.
Since 1 April 2016- Applies to all VWP travellers
Official wording
Since 1 April 2016 all VWP travellers need an e-passport with an embedded chip, a two-line machine-readable zone and a digital photo printed on the data page.
Purpose and length
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou can travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days.
90 days
Maximum stay · up to
- Other purposes, such as work or study, need a visa
Official wording
Business or tourism for up to 90 days. Other purposes (work, study) need a visa.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 1 more requirement
- 2 documents
- 2 fees
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Other routes to United States
- StudyF-1 Academic Student
- Work permitsE-1 Treaty Trader
- Permanent residenceImmigrant visa through the National Visa Center and a US consulate
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