United States of America (USA) Visit Visa requirements

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Visa and entry requirements for visiting the United States. Entry falls into three tracks depending on your passport. Canadian citizens need no visa and no ESTA — just a valid passport. Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, EU nations, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, must obtain an ESTA before flying — a quick online application that allows stays of up to 90 days. Everyone else needs a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, which requires an in-person interview at a US Embassy and allows stays of up to six months. Each guide on this page is written for travellers holding a specific passport, so you can find the exact rules that apply to you.

Visa status Required for most nationalities · ESTA available for 42 VWP countries · Visa-free for Canadian citizens

Visa cost $185 for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa · $40.27 for ESTA (VWP countries)

Stay duration 90 days per visit (ESTA) · Up to 6 months per visit (B-1/B-2 visa)

Visa format B-1/B-2: physical sticker in passport · ESTA: electronic authorisation linked to passport

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