Before you fly to the United States, one question matters more than your airport transfer or hotel check-in: do your travel documents cover the trip you intend to take? US Entry Requirements depend on your passport, the purpose of your visit and whether you qualify for ESTA, need a visa or fall under a separate exemption.
This guide explains what to prepare before departure, which supporting documents to keep accessible and how to check your permitted stay after arrival. It focuses on short visits and flight connections; US citizens, returning permanent residents and travellers moving to the country need documents appropriate to their own status.
Quick Answer: US Entry Requirements at a Glance
Most foreign visitors flying to the United States need a valid passport and either an appropriate US visa or an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program, unless a separate exemption applies. Your documents must cover the purpose of your journey, including transit where relevant.
A visa or approved ESTA allows you to travel and request admission; CBP makes the final entry decision.
| Requirement | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Passport validity | Generally, your passport must remain valid for six months beyond your intended stay. Country-specific exemptions allow some travellers to use a passport valid for the duration of their visit. |
| ESTA route | Eligible Visa Waiver Program travellers can visit for tourism or permitted business activities for 90 days or less. An eligible electronic passport and approved ESTA are required. |
| ESTA validity and fee | Generally valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and usable for multiple trips. The total fee is US$40.62 as of 30 October 2026. |
| Visitor visa route | Travellers requiring a visa for tourism generally need a B-2 or combined B-1/B-2 visa. Other activities may require a different category. |
| Supporting information | Keep your accommodation address, return or onward itinerary and documents explaining your visit accessible. |
| Permitted stay | Follow the period granted on admission, shown on your I-94 where issued—not the expiry date of your visa or ESTA. |
When reviewing US Entry Requirements, start with your citizenship and travel purpose, then consider any restrictions related to your travel history or individual circumstances.
1. Check Your Passport Before Booking
Look at your passport’s expiry date early, particularly if your itinerary includes several countries or you may need to renew it before departure.
Does Your Passport Need Six Months of Validity?
The general rule requires a visitor’s passport to remain valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay. However, country-specific agreements provide exemptions, so the six-month rule does not apply identically to every nationality.
For travellers covered by an exemption, passport validity generally needs to cover the intended visit. Use the rule for the passport you will actually travel on, and remember that other countries on your itinerary may have different requirements.
Two people taking the same flight can therefore have different passport-validity requirements.
ESTA Travellers Need an Electronic Passport
Travel under the Visa Waiver Program requires an eligible electronic passport containing a chip. Emergency and temporary passports must also meet the programme’s electronic-passport requirements.
An ESTA linked to your previous passport does not transfer to a new one. If you renew your passport, apply for a new ESTA before travelling under the programme.
What If Your Valid Visa Is in an Expired Passport?
A valid US visa in an expired passport can generally be used alongside a new valid passport, provided the visa remains suitable for the journey and has not been cancelled or revoked. The passports should be from the same country and of the same type.
Keep the visa in the original passport and carry both documents. Do not remove the visa or attempt to transfer it yourself.
If your nationality, name or other important details have changed, confirm the applicable instructions before travelling.
2. Confirm Whether You Need ESTA or a Visa
The next step is identifying the entry route that fits your circumstances. Residence permission in another country does not automatically give you the US travel privileges available to that country’s citizens.
Travelling Under the Visa Waiver Program
Eligible citizens or nationals of participating countries may use the Visa Waiver Program for tourism or permitted business visits lasting 90 days or less, subject to all programme conditions.
Participating countries include the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and many European countries. Eligibility depends on the citizenship and passport requirements of the programme, as well as your individual circumstances.
ESTA is the electronic travel authorisation used for this route. It is not a visa. Review the official Visa Waiver Program requirements before choosing this option.
ESTA Validity, Cost and Application Timing
An approved ESTA is generally valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It normally allows multiple journeys during that period, provided you remain eligible.
That validity period does not allow you to stay in the United States for two years. Each Visa Waiver Program visit is limited to 90 days or less.
As of 30 October 2026, the total ESTA fee is US$40.62, following the adjustment effective from 16 October 2026. Fees can change, so review the amount displayed during your official application.
Apply through the official ESTA website when planning your trip. Processing may take up to 72 hours; applying earlier gives you more time to address a problem. A submitted or pending application is not an approval.
Third-party services may charge additional fees. Using the official application service avoids paying an intermediary for a process you can complete yourself.
Travelling With a Visitor Visa
Travellers who need a visa for a holiday or a visit to friends and family generally use a B-2 or combined B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The appropriate category depends on the purpose of travel.
The application process generally involves completing Form DS-160, paying the applicable application fee and attending a consular interview, unless an interview exemption applies. Appointment availability and processing times vary, so start well before your intended departure and avoid making final travel arrangements before issuance.
If you already hold a valid visa suitable for your visit, you do not also need ESTA for that journey. Review the visa category, expiry date and permitted number of entries before relying on it.
Visitor permission does not authorise employment in the United States. If you intend to work, study or relocate, use the category covering those activities.
Travellers With Separate Exemptions
Canadian and Bermudian citizens generally have visa exemptions for ordinary tourism visits, subject to the applicable conditions. Their arrangements should not be confused with travel under ESTA.
If you fall into one of these groups, consult the Department of State’s tourism and visitor guidance for the route relevant to you.
3. Check Restrictions and Additional Requirements
US Entry Requirements can also depend on nationality, previous travel and changes in your circumstances. A document used successfully on an earlier journey may not be sufficient for a later one.
Country-Specific Restrictions in 2026
The United States has full or partial entry and visa-issuance restrictions affecting certain nationalities and travel documents under Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective from 1 January 2026.
The rules include exceptions and depend on circumstances such as visa status on the effective date. Being a national of an affected country does not, by itself, explain the outcome for every traveller.
Before making firm arrangements, review the Department of State’s current notice on entry and visa-issuance restrictions, including the provisions and exceptions relevant to your situation.
Previous Travel Can Affect ESTA Eligibility
Certain previous travel and dual-nationality circumstances can prevent use of the Visa Waiver Program.
Travellers who visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 are generally ineligible to use ESTA, subject to limited exceptions.
Similar restrictions generally apply to nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who have travelled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, with limited exceptions.
Separate restrictions also affect certain dual nationals. Read the eligibility questions carefully and answer them accurately, including when circumstances have changed since an earlier approval.
Being ineligible for ESTA does not automatically prohibit all US travel. A visa application may be the appropriate route, although other restrictions can still apply.
EVUS for Certain Chinese Passport Holders
People travelling on a People’s Republic of China passport with a 10-year B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visa must also meet Electronic Visa Update System requirements.
EVUS is separate from the visa itself. If this applies to you, verify your enrolment through the official EVUS website before departure.
4. Prepare Your Travel Documents and Supporting Information
Once your entry route is clear, organise a small document folder for the journey. Keep the information explaining your travel plans easy to find.
Keep the following accessible in your cabin baggage:
- Your passport and any additional passport containing your valid visa.
- Your visa or ESTA details, as applicable.
- Your first accommodation address and contact information.
- Your return or onward itinerary.
- Documents relevant to the purpose of your visit.
- Financial information you can access if asked how you will pay for the trip.
Supporting documents depend on your circumstances. A holiday, family visit and business meeting will not necessarily involve the same paperwork. These are useful preparations rather than a universal requirement to present every document at the desk.
Match Your Booking to Your Passport
Make sure the passenger name on your flight booking matches the passport you will use, following your airline’s naming instructions.
Resolve spelling errors or name-change questions before departure. If you renew your passport after booking, update the travel-document details held by the airline where required.
Return and Onward Travel
For ordinary Visa Waiver Program arrivals by air, a return or onward ticket is part of the eligibility requirements. Conditions also apply to onward journeys ending in Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands, with exceptions for residents of those places.
If your itinerary includes one of these destinations, review the official ESTA eligibility guidance before assuming any onward booking will satisfy the requirement.
Accommodation and Trip Details
Save the full address of your first hotel or the person you are staying with. A booking reference alone can be inconvenient when you need to explain where you are going.
For a trip covering several cities, a simple itinerary is useful. Keep your actual arrangements clear: where you arrive, where you initially stay and when you plan to leave.
💡 Clara’s Tip:
Create one offline folder containing your accommodation details, flight itinerary and relevant travel confirmations. Keep a short printed backup of essential addresses and booking details in case your phone loses power or cannot connect.
5. Check Documents for Every Child
Children need their own travel documents. For travel under the Visa Waiver Program, each child—including an infant—needs an individual ESTA approval and an eligible passport. A parent’s approval does not cover the whole family.
If a child travels with one parent, another adult or alone, prepare any relevant consent and custody documentation and review the departure country’s requirements.
US government guidance recommends carrying an appropriate parental consent letter in these circumstances, preferably in English and notarised. A parent with sole custody should carry relevant custody documentation. Airlines can also impose their own requirements for unaccompanied children.
Review the requirements for each family member individually. Different citizenships, passports or visa histories can mean different preparations within the same household.
6. Understand What Happens at US Entry Control
At the port of entry, CBP assesses your eligibility for admission. Be ready to explain why you are visiting, how long you intend to stay and where you will be staying.
Answer questions truthfully and directly. If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification. An airline document check before boarding does not replace the admission process.
Photographs and Biometric Checks
You may be photographed during entry processing and asked to provide fingerprints where applicable. US regulations effective from 26 December 2025 expanded the authority to photograph foreign nationals at entry and departure.
You may therefore also encounter a biometric photograph check when leaving the country. The process varies by location and journey; follow the instructions given by CBP and airline staff.
Additional Inspection
Some passengers are referred for additional checks, known as secondary inspection. This can involve document questions, information requiring clarification or other screening. A referral alone does not mean that admission has been refused.
For the airport-specific sequence, our JFK Airport Arrival Guide explains passport control, baggage reclaim, customs and leaving the terminal.
Check Your I-94 After Arrival
For visitors issued an electronic I-94, review the record after entry through the official CBP I-94 service.
Check your personal details, admission category and “Admit Until Date.” That date records the end of your authorised stay for an ordinary time-limited admission.
A visa valid for several years does not allow you to remain in the United States for that entire period. The visa’s validity and the stay granted on a particular visit are separate.
7. Check Entry Permission Even for a Flight Connection
US Entry Requirements can apply when the United States is only a connection point.
At JFK, there is no general international transit arrangement allowing ordinary arriving passengers to bypass US admission simply because their next flight leaves the country. Flights with US preclearance follow a different arrival process because the checks take place before departure.
Depending on your circumstances, transit may be possible with:
- An approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program.
- A suitable valid visitor visa.
- A transit visa.
- Another applicable exemption.
A separate transit visa is therefore not automatically necessary for every connecting passenger. Review the Department of State’s transit visa guidance against your itinerary and existing documents.
Our JFK Airport Transit & Connections Guide covers the practical arrangements, including baggage, terminal changes and onward security checks.
8. Review What You Are Bringing Into the Country
Entry preparation also includes checking what is in your luggage.
Declare food, plants and relevant agricultural or wildlife items. For medication, review the rules for your particular medicine and carry it in its original packaging with the appropriate prescription documentation. A product sold legally at home is not automatically permitted in the United States.
CBP’s guidance on items to declare is a useful starting point before packing.
You must also report currency and covered monetary instruments exceeding US$10,000, including the equivalent in foreign currencies. This is a reporting requirement, not a general prohibition on carrying larger amounts.
Family or group totals can matter, so do not treat the threshold as a separate allowance for each person.
Frequently Asked Questions About US Entry Requirements
What Happens If My ESTA Is Denied?
An ESTA denial means you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program using that application. If you still wish to travel, you can apply for an appropriate US visa, although approval is not guaranteed.
Allow time for the visa process before rearranging your journey. Do not assume that submitting another unchanged ESTA application will resolve the refusal.
Can My ESTA Expire While I Am in the United States?
Yes. If your ESTA expires after you have been admitted, its expiry does not itself shorten the stay granted to you.
You must still leave within your authorised period of admission. If you intend to travel to the United States again under the Visa Waiver Program after the ESTA expires, you will need a new approval.
Does Visiting Canada or Mexico Restart the 90-Day Limit?
Generally, no. A short visit to Canada, Mexico or nearby islands does not automatically start a new 90-day period under the Visa Waiver Program.
You may generally be readmitted for the remainder of the original admission period. Plan the whole itinerary around that limit rather than treating a nearby trip as a reset.
Do I Need a New ESTA for Every Trip?
Usually not, provided your ESTA remains valid and you remain eligible. A new passport or changes to your name, citizenship or eligibility answers can require a new application.
Do I Need Both ESTA and a US Visa?
No. If you travel on a valid US visa appropriate for your purpose, you do not also need ESTA.
ESTA applies to eligible travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The important point is to use the entry route that covers your intended visit.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for US Entry Requirements means matching your passport and entry permission to the trip you actually intend to take. Address eligibility questions early, organise your supporting information and leave enough time for any application you need.
Keep your documents accessible during the journey, then review your authorised stay after admission. With those essentials in place, you can focus on your arrival arrangements and the visit ahead.