ESTA Requirements — Everything You Need to Know

Let's look at what you need to be eligible for an ESTA and what documents to have ready. We explain everything in plain English — no jargon, no confusion.

What Is an ESTA and Who Needs One?

An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a travel authorisation required by the United States Government. It applies to citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who wish to visit the US for short stays.

You need an ESTA if you are travelling to the United States for:

  • Tourism or holiday trips (up to 90 days)
  • Business meetings, conferences, or short-term professional visits (up to 90 days)
  • Transit — passing through the US on your way to another country
  • Medical treatment visits of 90 days or less
A Helpful Note: An ESTA is not a visa. It is a separate authorisation specifically for short visits under the Visa Waiver Program. If your trip is longer than 90 days or for work/study purposes, you may need a different type of visa.

What Documents You Will Need

Before you start the questionnaire, please gather the following items. Having them nearby will make the process smoother:

  • A valid passport — from a Visa Waiver Program country. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the US. Please check the expiry date before you begin.
  • Your email address — so we can send you updates, confirmations, and your application result. Please use an email you check regularly.
  • Travel details — including your approximate arrival date, your flight details (if you have them), and the address where you will stay in the US. A hotel name and city is perfectly fine.
  • Your employment information — (if applicable) — your employer's name, address, and your job title. If you are retired or not currently employed, that is perfectly fine — simply let us know.
  • Emergency contact — — the name, phone number, and address of someone who can be reached in case of emergency while you are in the US. This can be a friend, family member, or your hotel.
  • Payment method — to cover the service and government application fees. We accept major credit/debit cards.

Passport Requirements

Your passport is the most important document for your ESTA application. Here is what to check:

  • Your passport must be machine-readable (most modern passports are)
  • It must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the US
  • The name on your ESTA must match your passport exactly — including middle names
  • If you have recently renewed your passport, you will need to use the new passport number
  • If your passport was issued by a Visa Waiver Program country, you are eligible for an ESTA
Where do I find my passport number? Open your passport to the photo page. Your passport number is usually in the top right corner. It is a combination of letters and numbers. Our questionnaire will show you exactly where to look.

Eligibility Checklist

To use our ESTA assistance service, please make sure you can answer "yes" to these questions:

  • ☐Are you a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country?
  • ☐Is your visit for tourism, business, or transit only?
  • ☐Will your stay be 90 days or less?
  • ☐Do you have a passport that is valid for your travel dates?
  • ☐Have you not been denied a US visa or ESTA in the past?

Visa Waiver Program Countries

The ESTA is available to citizens of the following countries. If your country is listed below, you are eligible to apply:

Andorra Australia Austria Belgium Brunei Chile Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Japan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Republic of Malta Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Qatar San Marino Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan United Kingdom
Don't see your country? You may still be able to travel to the US, but you might need a visa rather than an ESTA. Contact us and we will help you understand your options.

Special Circumstances

Travelling with children

Every traveller — including children and infants — needs their own ESTA. A parent or guardian can complete the questionnaire on behalf of a child. You will need the child's passport details.

Dual citizenship

If you hold passports from two countries, use the passport from the Visa Waiver Program country to apply for your ESTA. Make sure you travel with the same passport you used for the application.

Recently renewed passport

If you have recently received a new passport, any previous ESTA linked to your old passport is no longer valid. You will need to complete a new application with your new passport details.

Not sure about anything? Don't worry — when you start the questionnaire, we will guide you through each requirement. You can also contact our support team and we will be happy to help.
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