US Visitor Visa (B1/B2) vs ESTA: Requirements & How to Apply

If you hold a passport from one of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries, you can usually visit the United States for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA instead of a visa. Everyone else, and anyone the waiver programme excludes, needs a B1/B2 visitor visa, which means completing the DS-160 form, paying the application fee and normally attending an interview at a US embassy or consulate.

Who needs ESTA and who needs a B1/B2 visa

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) currently covers 42 countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, most of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Chile, Israel and Qatar. Some conditions apply: the UK entry covers British citizens with the right of abode only, and the Taiwan entry requires a passport showing a household registration number.

To travel under the VWP you need an electronic passport, an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and a trip of 90 days or less for tourism or business. ESTA is needed whether you arrive by air, sea or land.

You will need a B1/B2 visa instead if:

your nationality is not part of the VWP;
you have been to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, or to Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, unless a narrow official-duty exception applies;
you are also a national of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria or Cuba;
your ESTA has been refused or revoked;
you want to stay longer than 90 days.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need a visa or an ESTA for tourism and short business trips.

ESTA and the B1/B2 visa compared

Both routes cover the same broad purposes: tourism, family visits, medical treatment and limited business activity. The differences are in how you apply, how long you can stay and how flexible your status is.

ESTA is an online pre-travel authorisation; a B1/B2 is a visa placed in your passport after an interview or interview waiver.
An ESTA is normally valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips.
ESTA visits are capped at 90 days per entry, and VWP visitors generally cannot extend their stay or change status inside the US.
B1/B2 visitors are given an admission period by the border officer at entry, which is often longer than 90 days, and they can apply to USCIS for an extension.

Neither document guarantees entry. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers decide whether to admit you at the port of entry.

What B1 and B2 allow, and what they don't

The B1 category covers business visits: consulting with business contacts, attending a scientific, professional or business conference, negotiating a contract or settling an estate. The B2 category covers tourism, holidays, visiting relatives, medical treatment, unpaid amateur participation in events, and short recreational courses that do not earn academic credit. Most applicants receive a combined B1/B2 visa.

Neither allows employment, study for credit, paid performances, work as journalists or crew, or living in the US. Travelling mainly to give birth so a child gains US citizenship is also not a permitted purpose.

Document checklist for the visa interview

Embassies add their own requirements, so check your post's instructions. The core documents are:

a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, unless your country is covered by an exemption agreement;
the DS-160 confirmation page;
your application fee receipt, if your post requires payment before the interview;
a printed photo only if your upload to the DS-160 failed;
evidence of the purpose of your trip, such as a conference invitation or an outline itinerary;
evidence of your ties at home, such as an employment letter, recent payslips, a business registration, property records or proof of studies;
evidence that you, or someone sponsoring you, can pay for the trip;
for medical travel, your doctor's diagnosis, a US provider's letter with estimated costs, and proof of funds.

An invitation letter or affidavit of support from someone in the US is not required, and the State Department says it is not a deciding factor.

Fees as of October 2026

As of October 2026, the B1/B2 visa application fee (the MRV fee) is 185 US dollars. It is non-refundable, and the receipt is generally valid for 365 days for scheduling an appointment. Depending on your nationality, you may also pay a reciprocity issuance fee if the visa is approved.

From 1 July to 31 December 2026, the State Department is piloting an optional expedited interview appointment at selected posts for 750 US dollars, paid on top of the MRV fee. It aims to offer an interview within ten business days, subject to availability.

ESTA costs 40.62 US dollars from 16 October 2026, after an inflation adjustment; a smaller charge still applies if an application is refused.

A visa integrity fee was created by US legislation in 2025, but when we last checked, the official State Department fee schedule did not list it as being collected. Confirm all amounts on the official fee pages before paying.

Step-by-step: how to apply for a B1/B2 visa

Complete the online DS-160 form carefully, upload a photo that meets the photo rules, and print or save the confirmation page.
Create an account on the appointment system for your country and pay the MRV fee.
Book an interview at the US embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or residence.
Gather your documents and prepare to explain your plans consistently with your DS-160.
Attend the interview, where fingerprints are usually taken and an officer decides on your case.
If approved, pay any issuance fee and follow the post's instructions for passport return.

Since December 2025, applicants have been told to book in their country of nationality or residence; some nationalities without routine visa services at home are assigned designated posts. Applying elsewhere may make it harder to qualify, and fees are not refunded or transferred.

Some cases need administrative processing after the interview, which can add unpredictable time.

Interview waivers in 2026

Since 1 October 2025, almost all visa applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, generally need an in-person interview. The main exception for visitors is a renewal of a B1, B2 or B1/B2 visa within 12 months of the previous visa's expiry, where that visa was issued for full validity and you were at least 18 when it was issued.

To use the waiver you must also apply in your country of nationality or usual residence, have no unresolved previous visa refusal and show no possible ineligibility. Officers can still call anyone for interview.

Appointment wait times

Interview waits vary widely by city, season and visa type. Check the State Department's official visa appointment wait-time tool for the post where you will apply before you book flights, and do not buy non-refundable tickets until you have a visa.

In May 2026 the embassies in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda paused visa services, so check your embassy's website for local suspensions.

Visa validity versus authorised stay

Your visa's expiry date only tells you how long you can use it to travel to a US port of entry. How long you may stay is set by the CBP officer when you arrive and recorded on your electronic I-94 arrival record, which you can download from the CBP I-94 website or app.

Overstaying your I-94 date automatically voids your visa and can affect future applications. A valid visa in an expired passport can still be used alongside your new one.

Common reasons for refusal

Most visitor refusals fall under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Officers must presume you intend to immigrate unless you show otherwise, so a refusal usually means your ties at home or temporary purpose were not convincing enough.

weak evidence of employment, family, property or ongoing commitments at home;
travel plans that are vague or inconsistent with your DS-160;
insufficient funds, or unclear arrangements for paying for the trip;
a past overstay or violation of visa conditions;
misrepresentation or false documents, which can lead to a permanent bar.

A 214(b) refusal is not permanent. You can reapply, but it makes most sense once your circumstances have meaningfully changed.

Nationals of countries on the State Department's visa bond list may be asked to post a bond of 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 US dollars before a visa is issued, and must enter and leave through designated airports. Nationals of countries covered by Presidential Proclamation 10998 face full or partial suspensions of visa issuance with limited exceptions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use ESTA instead of a B2 tourist visa?

Yes, if you hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country, meet the electronic passport rule, are not barred by travel history or dual nationality, and your trip is 90 days or less. Otherwise you need a B1/B2 visa.

How long can I stay in the US on a B1/B2 visa?

The visa itself does not decide this. The CBP officer sets an admission period when you arrive, shown on your I-94 record. You must leave by that date or apply to USCIS for an extension before it passes.

Do I need a US visa interview if I am renewing?

Possibly not. If your previous B1/B2 visa expired less than 12 months ago, was issued for full validity when you were 18 or older, and you meet the other conditions, you may qualify for an interview waiver. The embassy can still require an interview.

What happens if my ESTA is denied?

Apply for a B1/B2 visa at a US embassy or consulate and keep a record of the denial. For urgent business, medical or humanitarian travel, ask the embassy about an expedited appointment.

Does a 10-year visa mean I can stay for 10 years?

No. A long-validity visa simply lets you request entry many times during that period. Each visit is limited to the admission period on your I-94.

Before you travel

US entry rules depend heavily on your nationality, travel history and personal circumstances, and policies have changed often since 2025. Treat this guide as a starting point and confirm every requirement, fee and appointment detail on the official State Department, CBP and DHS sources listed below before you apply or book travel.