United States eVisa & Travel Information (2026)

Introduction

The United States is the world's most visited country by international travelers and a major destination for tourism, business, education, and immigration. The U.S. has two main short-stay systems: the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with ESTA for eligible nationalities (42 countries), and the B-1/B-2 visa for others. The immigration system is managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State.

Tourist & Short Stay

• ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) — USD 21: Required before travel for citizens of all 42 VWP countries (UK, EU/Schengen, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and others). Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Approved for 2 years or until passport expires; allows multiple 90-day visits. Must apply at least 72 hours before travel.
• B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa — USD 185: For all nationalities not in the VWP, or for VWP nationals who have been refused ESTA. Tourism (B-2) and business visits (B-1). Interview at U.S. Embassy/Consulate required. Single or multiple-entry; up to 10-year validity for multiple-entry. Each stay is determined by CBP at entry (typically 6 months).
• Canadian and Bermudian citizens: Generally do not need a visa or ESTA for short tourism visits.

Business Visa

B-1 business visa covers: meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, independent research, and transit. Does NOT allow paid local employment. For paid work, an H-1B or appropriate employment visa is required. E-1 (Treaty Trader) and E-2 (Treaty Investor) visas allow business operations for citizens of treaty countries; minimum investment thresholds apply. L-1 intracompany transferee visa covers executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees.

Work & Long-Stay Visas

• H-1B (Specialty Occupation) — USD 460+: For employer-sponsored professionals in specialty fields (IT, engineering, finance, medicine). Annual cap of 85,000 (65,000 regular + 20,000 master's exemption); lottery selection typical. Requires bachelor's degree or equivalent. Valid 3 years, renewable to 6 years. Processing 3–6 months (premium: 15 days for USD 2,805).
• O-1 (Extraordinary Ability): No annual cap; for individuals with extraordinary achievement in sciences, arts, education, business, athletics. Valid up to 3 years, renewable.
• EB-1/EB-2/EB-3 (Employment-Based Green Card): Immigrant visas for permanent residency. EB-1: priority workers/multinational managers (no PERM needed). EB-2: advanced degree/exceptional ability. EB-3: skilled workers. Long backlogs for some nationalities (India, China). PERM labor certification required for most.
• EB-5 (Investor Green Card): USD 800,000 (TEA/rural) or USD 1,050,000 investment. Creates 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Direct pathway to green card for investor and family.
• J-1 (Exchange Visitor): Research, au pair, camp counselor, training programs. Cultural exchange.

Student Visa

F-1 visa for academic study at U.S. universities; M-1 for vocational programs. Requires I-20 from SEVIS-registered institution, SEVIS fee (USD 350 for F-1), and visa interview. Must maintain full-time enrollment. Work authorization: on-campus up to 20 hrs/week; off-campus via OPT (Optional Practical Training — 12 months, up to 36 months for STEM). SEVIS fee: USD 350 (F-1) / USD 220 (M-1).

Airport Transit

The USA does not have a traditional airside transit — all arriving passengers must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), even for connecting flights (except CBP Preclearance airports). This means all international travelers connecting in the U.S. need either a valid U.S. visa or ESTA. There is no transit visa. C-1 transit visa exists but is rarely used; most travelers need a B-1/B-2 or ESTA.

Required Documents

• Valid passport (6 months validity beyond intended stay)
• ESTA approval (for VWP countries) or valid U.S. visa
• DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application (if applying for B-1/B-2 or other visa)
• Visa appointment confirmation (for consular interviews)
• Photo meeting U.S. visa requirements (2×2 inches, white background)
• Proof of funds and ties to home country (to demonstrate non-immigrant intent)
• Return or onward flight ticket
• Hotel/accommodation booking or invitation letter
• For student visa: I-20 form, SEVIS fee payment receipt, acceptance letter
• For work visa: employer petition (I-129), approval notice (I-797)

Visa Fees

How to Apply

1. VWP/ESTA route: Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before travel. Fill in passport details, travel information, security questions, and pay USD 21. Receive authorization in minutes to 72 hours.
2. Nonimmigrant visa route (B-1/B-2 etc.): Complete DS-160 at ceac.state.gov. Pay MRV fee (USD 185). Book interview at nearest U.S. Embassy. Attend interview with documents. Visa processed 1 day to several weeks depending on embassy/consulate.
3. On arrival: Clear CBP at first U.S. port of entry. Submit I-94 arrival record (automated). CBP officer determines admission period.
4. For work visas: Employer files petition (I-129) with USCIS. Wait for approval (I-797). Apply for visa stamp at U.S. Embassy. Enter the U.S. with valid petition and visa.

Official Links

• esta.cbp.dhs.gov — ESTA application (official)
• travel.state.gov — U.S. Department of State (visas)
• uscis.gov — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• ceac.state.gov — DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application
• i94.cbp.dhs.gov — I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

Who Qualifies for ESTA / VWP?

42 countries participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program including: all EU/Schengen countries, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Chile, and others. VWP nationals must hold an e-passport (biometric) and must not have visited Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011. Canadian citizens are generally admitted at the border without advance visa or ESTA. All other nationalities must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa.

Always verify current visa rules on official government sites before travel.