United States visa

The United States offers several entry options depending on a traveler's nationality and purpose of visit. Citizens of certain countries may be eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business without obtaining a traditional visa. To use the VWP, travelers must apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online before departure. ESTA approval is typically valid for two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first.

Travelers who are not eligible for the VWP, or who plan to stay longer than 90 days or engage in other activities such as attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or tourism with extended stays, typically need to apply for a B1/B2 visa. The B1 visa is designated for business-related visits, while the B2 visa is for tourism, medical treatment, or visiting family and friends. These visas often allow multiple entries and can be valid for several years, though each stay is generally limited to six months.

ESTA

• Multiple entries: yes
• Validity: 2 years
• Maximum visit: 90 days
• Processing time: 72 hours
• Requirements: passport
• Eligible countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom

B1/B2 visa

• Multiple entries: yes
• Validity: up to 10 years (depending on the traveler’s nationality)
• Maximum visit: typically up to 6 months per entry
• Processing time: varies
• Requirements:
  • Valid passport
  • DS-160 form
  • Visa appointment confirmation
  • Supporting documents