visa waiver program

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

On August 1, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a new online travel authorization system which screens passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  Effective January 12, 2009, ESTA is mandatory for citizens and nationals of all 35 VWP participant countries (including the Republic of Korea, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Malta and other existing VWP member countries) who plan to travel to the United States by air or sea.

ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to boarding a United States bound airplane or cruise ship.  VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for an authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.

Please note:

• As of December 16, 2008 a Korean-language translation version of the ESTA website is available.  Though the ESTA website is translated into different languages, information for the ESTA application must be completed in English. 
• You can visit the DHS Customs and Border (CBP) website for detailed information, questions or comments about the program.

Important links:

• ESTA FAQs (Overview; Who needs to apply; How to apply; Denials; and Data privacy)
• Click here to apply for ESTA authorization
• ESTA information on CBP.gov
• ESTA Factsheet 

Return to main U.S. VWP page.