United States of America:Visa Requirements

USLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Official Government Website

United States of America Visa Requirements Map

United States of America: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • In special visa exemptions not based on an electronic travel authorization, the traveler must present a valid passport or other accepted travel document demonstrating the right to benefit from the exemption. The travel purposes for which the exemption may apply, the permitted duration of stay, and the right to work or study vary depending on the legal status to which the traveler is subject. Even if a visa exemption applies for some travel purposes, a suitable visa must be obtained in advance for different purposes such as work, study, immigration, or official duty.
  • The passport must generally be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States. However, an exemption from this six-month validity requirement may apply under country-specific agreements with the United States. In some visa-free entries based on special free movement arrangements, a valid and unexpired qualifying passport must be presented.
  • The traveler is subject to inspection by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer upon arrival. A visa exemption or a valid travel document does not guarantee admission to the country. Information or supporting documents regarding the purpose of travel, duration of stay, accommodation, financial means, return or onward travel plans, and compliance with exemption conditions may be requested. The permitted duration of stay is determined by the admission record issued upon entry or the date on Form I-94.
  • A single number of blank passport pages, bank statement period, minimum bank balance, hotel reservation, travel health insurance, or insurance coverage amount applicable to all visa-free entry statuses has not been specifically stated in the central official source. These documents may be requested depending on the type of travel, entry status, and the border officer's review.

Electronic Travel Authorization Requirements

  • Every traveler traveling under the Visa Waiver Program must have a valid ESTA authorization before boarding an air or sea carrier bound for the United States. ESTA can be used for tourism, certain business activities, and transit purposes and allows a stay of up to 90 days per single admission period. It cannot be used for credit-bearing study, employment, press activities, or permanent residence. If traveling by private aircraft or with an air or sea carrier not participating in the program, an appropriate visa must be obtained.
  • For an ESTA application, the traveler must present a valid electronic passport in his or her own name. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure from the United States; exceptions granted by country-specific agreement are reserved. Each traveler, including infants and children, must have a separate passport and a separate ESTA authorization. If traveling with an emergency or temporary passport, this document must also be an electronic chip passport.
  • The application requires passport information, the traveler's identity and contact information, a valid email address, home address and telephone number, details of an emergency contact, travel-related information, and answers to eligibility and security questions. The official application system also requires a selfie photo of the traveler. The information provided in the application must match the passport exactly. The exact pixel dimensions, file size, and other technical specifications of the selfie have not been specifically stated in the central official source.
  • The ESTA application fee is 40.27 US dollars. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, JCB or Diners Club under Discover, and PayPal are accepted. If a new application is required, the fee is paid again.
  • It is recommended to apply when making a travel reservation or as soon as travel plans are finalized. At least 72 hours must be allowed for processing; a last-minute application is not guaranteed to be processed before the flight. The authorization is valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever is earlier, unless cancelled. A new application is required when the passport is changed, when a relevant change in personal information occurs, or when the previous authorization expires.
  • ESTA is verified entirely electronically, and carrying a paper printout is not mandatory. However, it is recommended that the traveler check the application number and approval status before travel. ESTA authorization only grants the right to travel to the United States and request admission at the border; it does not guarantee entry to the country.
  • The initial admission period granted under the Visa Waiver Program generally cannot be extended, and the immigration status in the country cannot be changed. Short trips to adjacent regions do not initiate a new 90-day period; the total travel time must remain within the 90-day period granted upon initial admission. Return or onward travel arrangements may be required, and exceptions to this condition may apply for certain legal statuses.
  • The Guam-Northern Mariana Islands Electronic Travel Authorization may only be used for eligible travel to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands for business, tourism, or transit purposes, and for a maximum of 45 days. This authorization does not provide visa-free travel rights to the U.S. mainland or other U.S. territories. The traveler must submit a valid passport, selfie photo, email address, home address and telephone information, and details of an emergency contact to the electronic application system.
  • The Guam-Northern Mariana Islands authorization does not guarantee that the traveler will be admitted at the border. The final decision is made by the CBP officer, and the traveler must meet the program's travel purpose, duration, and other admission conditions. The fee for this authorization, the exact processing time, the validity period of the approval, and the requirement to carry a printed approval have not been specifically stated in the accessible central official sources.
  • A universal minimum financial sufficiency amount, bank statement period, mandatory hotel reservation, travel health insurance, or insurance coverage amount for ESTA and Guam-Northern Mariana Islands electronic travel authorizations has not been specifically stated in the central official source.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • The type of visa to be applied for is determined by the purpose of travel. Different visa classes and document lists apply for temporary visit, business, study, exchange program, employment, crew, official duty, family reunification, and immigration applications. There is no single universal document checklist; the applicant must select the appropriate visa class and follow the local instructions of the embassy or consulate where the application will be made. Owning real estate, receiving an invitation, or purchasing an airline ticket does not alone provide eligibility for a specific visa type.
  • For a nonimmigrant visa application, Form DS-160 must be completed online in full and submitted electronically. The applicant must print the barcoded confirmation page and bring it to the interview; the entire form does not need to be printed. Each applicant, including children and family members listed on the same passport, must submit a separate application.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States; an exception may apply under country-specific agreements. The exact number of blank pages required in the passport and the biometric passport requirement have not been specifically stated in the central official source as applicable to all consular visa classes. If the visa or passport is damaged, the carrier and border authorities may not accept the document; a new application may be required for a damaged visa.
  • When completing the DS-160, the photo must be uploaded electronically. The photo must be in color, taken within the last six months, with a white or off-white background, front view, natural expression, and eyes open. The height of the head within the image must measure between 22 and 35 millimeters or correspond to 50 to 69 percent of the total image height. Glasses are generally not accepted; in case of medical necessity, a doctor's statement may be required. The image must not be digitally altered in a way that changes the person's appearance.
  • The digital photo must be square, at least 600 × 600 and at most 1200 × 1200 pixels; prepared in JPEG format, sRGB color space, and a maximum size of 240 KB. If an existing photo is to be scanned, the photo must be 51 × 51 millimeters and scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch. If the photo cannot be uploaded to the DS-160 system, one printed photo must be brought to the interview.
  • The basic documents for a nonimmigrant visa application are a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page, if required, a fee payment receipt, and if the photo upload failed, one printed photo. Depending on the visa type, an approved petition, student or exchange program form, employer letter, employment contract, educational document, company documents, travel itinerary, or other documents for a specific purpose may be requested.
  • For a temporary visitor visa, the purpose of travel, the intention to depart the United States after the visit is completed, and the ability to cover travel expenses must be demonstrated. Documents showing employment status, salary, education, family ties, residence, property, or other ties to the home country may be requested. If expenses are to be covered by another person, documents regarding that person's ability to pay may be submitted. A fixed bank balance and the number of months a bank statement must cover applicable to all applicants have not been specifically stated in the central official source.
  • For a temporary visitor visa, an invitation letter or a financial support affidavit in the nature of Form I-864 is not mandatory and is not considered a fundamental element of the visa decision. However, the consulate may request additional documents explaining the purpose of travel, accommodation, or expenses based on the application conditions.
  • If applying for medical treatment, the diagnosis from a local doctor, an explanation of why the treatment must be performed in the United States, a letter from the U.S. doctor or healthcare facility confirming acceptance of the treatment, the estimated duration and cost of the treatment, and financial evidence showing how transportation, treatment, and living expenses will be covered may be requested.
  • In-person interviews are the general rule for nonimmigrant visa applications. As of October 1, 2025, applicants under 14 years of age and over 79 years of age are also subject to the interview as a rule. Certain official visa classes and some renewal applications meeting the conditions may benefit from an interview waiver. The consular officer may call any applicant for an interview even if the waiver conditions are met.
  • Inkless digital fingerprints are taken during the interview or at another stage of the application process. The location and time of the procedure may vary depending on the consular post. The consular officer may request additional documents, a new interview, a security check, or administrative processing. There is no fixed central timeframe applicable to all applications for the completion of administrative processing.
  • An online presence review is applied in certain nonimmigrant visa classes. Applicants subject to this review are required to set the privacy settings of their social media profiles to 'public' or 'open'. This condition is not universal for all visa classes and is applied according to the visa type applied for.
  • In B-1/B-2 applications made with certain passports, a visa bond of 5,000, 10,000, or 15,000 US dollars may be required if the applicant meets the other conditions. The amount is determined by the consular officer at the interview. Form I-352 must only be submitted after the consular officer's instruction, and payment must only be made via the provided Pay.gov link. Posting a bond does not guarantee that the visa will be issued. This practice depends on nationality and the passport used.
  • Holders of visas subject to a bond must comply with the entry and exit conditions notified to them. The practice may restrict specific ports of entry, commercial air transportation, and permitted travel methods. Individual instructions should be checked from the documents provided when the visa is issued.
  • Nonimmigrant visa application fees vary by visa class. For most nonimmigrant visas not based on a petition, the fee is 185 US dollars. For certain petition-based employment visas, 205 US dollars; for treaty trader or investor classes, 315 US dollars; for fiancé(e) or spouse class, 265 US dollars. No fee is charged for some diplomatic, official, or government-sponsored programs. A visa issuance fee may also apply based on nationality and reciprocity schedule.
  • The payment method for consular visa fees varies depending on the system of the embassy or consulate where the application is made. No single centralized payment method applicable to all countries and posts has been specified. Fees are generally non-refundable, and the application processing fee is not refunded even if the visa is refused.
  • For an immigrant visa, after the appropriate immigrant petition and category-specific process are completed, Form DS-260 is completed electronically. To the interview, the appointment letter, a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of entry for each applicant, the DS-260 confirmation page, two identical color photographs, and original or certified copies of civil status and population documents uploaded to the CEAC system must be brought.
  • Immigrant visa photographs must be 51 × 51 millimeters and comply with general photo rules. The applicant must have the required medical examination performed only by an authorized panel physician and must submit birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, military, court, and police documents according to the category. For sponsored applications, the financial support form, the sponsor's income and tax documents, and documents showing the family relationship or eligibility are required. The document list varies by application category and interview location.
  • For immigration documents not in English, an English translation in accordance with the instructions of the consular post where the interview will be held may be required. Original or certified civil status documents must be submitted. The requirement for notarization of the translation, apostille, or legalization of the document varies depending on the issuing country, the document type, and the consulate's country-specific instructions.
  • The validity period and single or multiple entry rights of a consular visa are determined by the visa class, nationality, and reciprocity schedule. The expiration date on the visa does not indicate the last day that can be spent in the United States; it only indicates the period during which the visa can be used at the port of entry. The duration of stay for each entry is determined by the CBP officer and recorded on the admission stamp or Form I-94.
  • If a valid and undamaged visa is in an expired passport, in some cases it may be used together with a new valid passport issued by the same country and of the same type. The visa must not be removed from the old passport or affixed to the new passport. The admission decision remains with the border officer.
  • A single travel health insurance requirement, insurance coverage amount, hotel reservation, bank statement period, minimum bank balance, number of blank passport pages, or standard processing time applicable to all consular visa types has not been specifically stated in the central official source. These conditions may vary depending on the visa type, place of application, purpose of travel, and the applicant's personal situation.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • The Transit C visa is for travelers who will pass directly and without interruption through the United States to another country. The journey must be pre-arranged, and no unnecessary waiting, visits, tourism, or other activities should be planned in the United States. If there is a visit to friends or family, a city tour, or another primary purpose during the transfer, an appropriate visitor or other visa type should be applied for.
  • A valid visitor visa may be used for transit in some cases. Travelers who meet the conditions of the Visa Waiver Program may transit with a valid ESTA. For crew traveling to join a ship or aircraft for duty, a D class crew visa may be required in addition to a transit visa, and these visas are often issued as a combined C-1/D visa.
  • For a transit visa application, Form DS-160 must be completed online, the barcoded confirmation page printed, and the photo uploaded to the system. To the interview, a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page, if required, a fee receipt, and if the photo upload failed, one printed photo must be brought. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States; exceptions arising from country-specific agreements may apply.
  • The applicant may be required to provide a flight or other transportation plan showing that they will depart the United States directly and without delay, a visa or other document providing entry rights to the next country, financial means to cover travel expenses, and documents showing ties to the country of residence. If expenses are to be covered by another person, documents regarding the sponsor's financial capacity may be requested.
  • The Transit C visa application fee is 185 US dollars and is non-refundable. Depending on nationality, a visa issuance fee may also apply. The payment method varies depending on the embassy or consulate where the application is made.
  • Transit visa applicants are generally subject to an in-person interview and digital fingerprint procedure. The consular officer may request additional documents or administrative processing. The application should be made as early as possible; appointment and processing times vary by post, season, visa class, and security check. There is no fixed central processing time applicable to all applications.
  • A universal number of blank passport pages, fixed bank balance, bank statement period, hotel reservation, travel health insurance, or insurance coverage amount for a transit visa has not been specifically stated in the central official source.
Population
349,035,494(2026 est.)
Official language
English
Government type
Federal presidential constitutional republic
Continent
North America
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Currency
United States dollar
Area
9,826,675 km²
Phone code
+1

United States of America: Key Destinations

The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C., while the largest city is New York City, serving as a major international gateway. Other principal entry points include Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami, with extensive airport networks connecting global travelers.

The United States offers a rich tapestry of cultural attractions, from museums in Washington, D.C., to Broadway shows in New York. Its diverse regions feature stunning coastlines, national parks like Yellowstone, and vibrant business hubs such as Silicon Valley, alongside the tropical islands of Hawaii.

Travelers often plan multi-city itineraries linking the East and West Coasts, such as flying into New York and out of Los Angeles. Domestic flights and road trips connect cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, allowing exploration of the country's vast landscapes.