ESTA vs Visa: Which One Do You Need to Visit the US?
Short answer: It depends on your passport. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (about 40 countries, including the UK, most of Europe, Japan, Australia, and Chile) visit the US with an online ESTA approval — no embassy visit. Everyone else, and any VWP citizen who is ineligible for ESTA, needs a B-1/B-2 visitor visa from a US consulate. ESTA is not a visa, and a visa is not an ESTA.
ESTA vs B-1/B-2 at a glance
| Item | ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | B-1/B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries only | Everyone else, plus VWP citizens ineligible for ESTA |
| Fee | $40.62 (confirm on the CBP site — the fee moved twice in the past year) | $185 application fee |
| How to apply | Online form, no interview | DS-160 form plus an embassy/consulate interview |
| Validity | 2 years, or until your passport expires | Commonly up to 10 years, depending on nationality |
| Maximum stay per visit | 90 days, hard limit | Usually up to 6 months, set by the officer at entry |
| Extensions | Not permitted | Possible in some circumstances (Form I-539) |
| Change of status inside the US | Not permitted (with very narrow exceptions) | Possible in some circumstances |
| Official application | esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the official CBP ESTA app | US embassy or consulate |
Which one fits you
- ESTA if you hold a VWP-country passport, are visiting for tourism or business for 90 days or less, and have no complicating history.
- B-1/B-2 visa if you need more than 90 days, might need an extension, were refused a US visa or entry before, overstayed a past visit, or hold a non-VWP passport. Canadians generally need neither an ESTA nor a visa for visits.
- If ESTA is denied, you must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa — that is the only path after a denial.
Before you apply
- Apply for ESTA only on the official CBP website or app — third-party sites charge large markups for the same form.
- ESTA approval is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry; the officer at the border makes the final call.
- Fees moved recently: ESTA rose from $21 to $40 in September 2025 and was adjusted again to $40.62 in October 2026 — confirm the fee the CBP site shows before paying.
- Interview waits for B-1/B-2 visas vary enormously by consulate, from days to years — apply as early as your travel allows.
- If you are a Latin American traveler weighing the visitor-visa route specifically, our Spanish guide to the US B1/B2 visa covers the process in more detail.
Common mistakes
- Paying a copycat site's markup for an ESTA instead of using the official CBP site.
- Assuming ESTA can be extended — it cannot; 90 days is a hard limit.
- Assuming a 10-year visa means a 10-year stay — it means you may seek entry during that period; each stay is set at entry, usually up to 6 months.
- Assuming a permanent resident of a VWP country can use ESTA — eligibility follows your passport's nationality, not your residence.
- Assuming an approved ESTA guarantees admission — it does not.
FAQs
- Is ESTA a visa? No. It is an online travel authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program, checked by US Customs and Border Protection before you board.
- How much does ESTA cost? $40.62 as of October 2026 — confirm on the CBP site, since the fee changed twice in the past year.
- How long can I stay on ESTA? Up to 90 days per visit, with no extension.
- How long does a B-1/B-2 visa last? Commonly up to 10 years depending on nationality, with stays usually up to 6 months per entry.
- What if my ESTA is denied? Apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa at a US embassy or consulate.
*Visa rules change. Confirm current requirements on travel.state.gov and the CBP site before applying. Not legal or immigration advice.*