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United States visa requirements (2026)

Of 198 passports, 46 can travel to the United States without arranging a visa in advance. 0 can apply online for an e-Visa and 152 need a visa from an embassy or visa centre.

Who can visit the United States: passports by requirement

How to enter the United States: official routes

Checked November 2026

⚠️ CBP directs travellers to apply only through the official ESTA site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov; look-alike sites charge extra service fees. Use only the official links below.

Official route

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) - Visa Waiver Program nationals only

Fee
USD 40.62 (same for all eligible nationalities)
Valid for
Up to 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first; stays of up to 90 days per visit
Processing
Most answers come quickly, but CBP advises applying as soon as you start planning, ideally before buying tickets
Official site →
Official route

B-2 (tourism) / B-1/B-2 visitor visa

Fee
USD 185 application fee; some nationalities also pay a reciprocity-based issuance fee
Processing
In-person interview generally required; appointment wait times vary by embassy and may be long
Official site →

At the border

  • Passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the planned stay, unless your country has an exemption agreement with the US.
  • Visa Waiver Program travellers must hold an electronic passport (e-Passport) and an approved ESTA before boarding.
  • Visa applicants should be ready to show the trip purpose, ties to home, and the means to pay for the visit.
  • Visitors may not work; admission and length of stay are decided by the CBP officer at the port of entry and recorded on the electronic I-94.
  • Overstaying automatically voids the visa and can affect future eligibility.

Recent changes

  • September 2025: ESTA fee rose from USD 21 to USD 40 (collected from 30 September 2025); the official ESTA site now lists USD 40.62.
  • October 2025: interview waivers were sharply narrowed (State Department notice of 18 September 2025, effective 1 October 2025); most visa applicants now need an in-person interview.
  • 2025-2026: the ESTA application now asks for a selfie photo of the traveller.

Official source: U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · Not yet confirmed officially: eta.processing: exact ESTA processing time (commonly cited as up to 72 hours) could not be read on the official FAQ, Date when the ESTA fee moved from USD 40 to USD 40.62, Visa Integrity Fee (USD 250, set by the 2025 HR-1 law): not shown on the official State Department fee page, so collection status is unconfirmed and it is left out, Selfie requirement start date

Do I need a visa for the United States?

Entry requirement Choose a passport and a destination.

Popular passports

PassportRequirementStay
United Kingdom eTA required –
India Visa required –
Philippines Visa required –
Nigeria Visa required –
Pakistan Visa required –
Canada Visa-free 180 d
Australia eTA required –
China Visa required –
Germany eTA required –
France eTA required –

Access by passport region

Passports that enter visa-free, with a visa on arrival or an eTA.

RegionPassports
Europe 32/46
Asia 7/50
Africa 0/54
North America 1/22
South America 1/12
Oceania 5/14

Passports that can enter the United States visa-free

4 passports

Passports that need an eTA for the United States

42 passports

Passports that need a visa for the United States

152 passports

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?

It depends on your passport. 4 passports can enter the United States visa-free, 0 get a visa on arrival, 42 need an eTA, 0 can apply for an e-Visa online and 152 need a visa from an embassy or visa centre.

Which countries can enter the United States without a visa?

4 passports can enter the United States visa-free, including Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau.

Holding a United States passport? See where the United States passport can travel visa-free.

Data last updated February 2026. Rules can change at short notice and may differ by purpose of travel. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of the United States before you book.