Visa Waiver Program and ESTA
Citizens of participating Visa Waiver Program countries can generally travel to the U.S. for short tourist stays without a full visa, instead applying online for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before departure. Not every country participates, and program membership and terms can change, so confirm your own country's current status directly with official U.S. government sources rather than a travel blog.
If your country isn't in the program
Travellers from non-participating countries generally need a full U.S. tourist visa arranged in advance through a U.S. embassy or consulate — this process takes meaningfully longer than ESTA, so start it well before your planned travel dates.
Always verify directly, close to your travel date
Entry requirements, fees and processing times are set by the U.S. government and do change. Whatever you read here or elsewhere, confirm current requirements on an official government site shortly before you book flights and again before you travel, rather than relying on a remembered rule from a previous trip.
This page is a general starting point, not immigration advice. Entry requirements vary by nationality and change over time — always confirm directly with official government sources for your specific situation.