What documents do I need to enter America?
To enter the United States you need a valid passport plus either a visa or an approved ESTA, depending on your nationality.
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Entering the United States - the basics
The US has some of the strictest entry procedures in the world. Before you book a hotel through trip1 and head to the airport, make sure you have every required document - US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers can refuse entry even to travelers with valid authorization.
- A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, or just for your stay if your country is on the US exemption list of more than 120 countries (including the UK, Canada, Mexico and most of the EU).
- An approved ESTA if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country.
- A B1/B2 tourist visa if your country is not in the VWP.
- A return or onward ticket out of the US.
- A hotel reservation from trip1 or address of your US accommodation.
- Proof of sufficient funds and ties to your home country.
What is ESTA?
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an online pre-screening program for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries. It costs USD 40.27, rising to USD 40.62 from 16 October 2026, and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires.
Visa Waiver Program countries include the UK, most EU member states (not Bulgaria, Cyprus or Romania), Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and around 30 others. With an approved ESTA you can travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days per visit.
When do you need a US visa instead?
If your country is not on the VWP list, you must apply for a US visa in advance. The most common is the B1/B2 tourist visa, which requires an in-person interview at a US embassy, fingerprinting, and a fee.
Even citizens of VWP countries may be required to apply for a visa if they have visited certain countries (such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Cuba) after specific dates.
Arriving in the US
On arrival, you must show your passport and CBP will scan your fingerprints and photo. Have your trip1 hotel booking ready in case they ask for proof of where you will be staying. Visitors are usually admitted for the time stamped on their I-94 record.
What documents do I need to enter America - FAQ
No, there is no general fee just to enter the United States. The USD 250 figure is the Visa Integrity Fee that a 2025 US law attached to nonimmigrant visas, such as the B1/B2 tourist visa. Travellers using an ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program are not issued a visa, so it does not apply to them. Check travel.state.gov for how it is collected.
ESTA is the online travel authorisation that citizens of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries need before visiting the US for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. The official fee is USD 40.27 per application, rising to USD 40.62 from 16 October 2026. An approval lasts two years, or until your passport expires if sooner, and covers multiple trips. Apply only on the official CBP ESTA website.
Citizens of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and most EU countries, can visit for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA. Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are not in the programme. Most other travellers apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa, which involves an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Before you fly, the key form is either an ESTA application or a US visa application, depending on your passport. You do not fill in a paper I-94 arrival record when you arrive by air or sea: US Customs and Border Protection creates it electronically, and you can look it up or print it on the official I-94 website after you land.
It depends on your passport. Visitors normally need a passport valid for six months beyond their stay, but citizens of countries on the US exemption list, which includes the UK, Canada, Mexico and most of the EU, only need one valid for the length of their stay. A new passport also means applying for a new ESTA.