USA visa policy

The USA visa policy determines the rules that foreign citizens must meet to obtain a US visa. The United States distinguishes 180 various types of visas dividing them into two categories, including nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.

A nonimmigrant visa can be issued for temporary stays, including the purposes of tourism, business, study courses, family reunions, etc. In turn, an immigrant visa is granted to those who plan to live and/or work in the United States.

All 50 US states have the same immigration policies. Moreover, the visa policy is similar for some US territories, such as the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. Different visa policies may apply if one wishes to visit the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or American Samoa.

It is the traveler’s nationality, the planned duration of stay in the US as well as traveling purpose that determine what type of US visa one should apply for.

A few countries do not need a visa or any other travel permit to enter the United States either for an indefinite stay or for a limited period of time.

Additionally, the visa policy of USA states that citizens of 40 countries in the world, instead of applying for a visa, simply need to complete the online US ESTA registration prior to travel. The application for an ESTA can be completed from the comfort of their home as it is an entirely online process.

All those who are not nationals of the visa-exempt countries need to obtain a relevant US visa from the nearest US diplomatic mission.

Chinese citizens are required to get both a regular embassy visa and register with the US EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System) to gain access to the United States.

There are also some cases where no visas will be available for certain nationalities due to the existing visa bans imposed by the US government. These nationals, however, should directly contact the US embassy or consulate since the visa requirements are constantly being updated and revised.

Who can enter the USA?

As of 12th May 2023, foreign travelers no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. It means that the US now welcomes all travelers, including both vaccinated and non-vaccinated against the coronavirus.

There are many grounds for inadmissibility determined by the Immigration and Nationality Act that may lead to entry refusal, including:

• having a communicable disease
• being a drug abuser
• being previously deported or removed from the territory of the US
• convicting of certain crimes
• violating the immigration laws
• committing immigration fraud
• having a physical or mental disorder that may pose a danger to others

Note: If a traveler has been arrested (including the arrest without criminal conviction), has a criminal record, has been refused admission into the US, has been deported from the States, or has once overstayed an ESTA, they should apply for a nonimmigrant visa directly from the nearest US embassy or consulate instead of registering for the ESTA. Application for the ESTA under the aforementioned conditions may result in unsuccessful ESTA registration.

Entry Requirements for the USA

The USA entry requirements are essential to ensure smooth entry to the country and a hassle-free stay. Make sure you have all documents gathered before you start your journey.

Documents check-list for entering the USA

Following, there are the most important documents that you must have ready before your oncoming trip to the United States.

• US ESTA or a visa
• valid passport (valid for the entire duration of stay in the US)
• US CDC Contact Tracing Form
• travel insurance (recommended)

Please note that you no longer need to provide a COVID-19 negative test certificate or vaccination proof to enter the United States.

Do also remember that entry regulations may change at short notice, and it is important to check the latest update to avoid any problematic situations upon arrival in the United States.

Methods of getting a visa to the USA

Electronic visa (eSTA)

40 different countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program can travel to the US visa-free for up to 90-day stays. They, however, still need to complete the online registration for an ESTA.

The US ESTA is a multiple-entry electronic travel authorization that enables traveling to the United States numerous times throughout a 2-year validity period. The maximum period that an ESTA holder can spend in the country is 90 days in total. The stay must be related to tourism, business, or transit.

Regular visa

According to the US visa policy, there are around 190 nationalities that need a consular or embassy visa obtained before traveling to the United States.

These countries’ citizens must obtain a US visa directly from one of the US diplomatic missions, regardless of the length of stay they plan to stay in the country or their traveling motive.

Application for an embassy visa is most often a long-time procedure that should be started much in advance of the planned travel. Travelers are also required to visit an embassy or consulate in person to complete all the procedures and submit all necessary documents, which may differ depending on the selected visa type.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into the USA

Electronic visa (ESTA)

• Andorra
• Austria
• Australia
• Belgium
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• United Kingdom
• Greece
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• South Korea
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Monaco
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Poland
• San Marino
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Brunei Darussalam

Regular visa

• United Arab Emirates
• Afghanistan
• Anguilla
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• Argentina
• American Samoa
• Aruba
• Aland Islands
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Barbados
• Bangladesh
• Burkina Faso
• Bulgaria
• Bahrain
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Cocos Islands
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Ivory Coast
• Cook Islands
• Cameroon
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Serbia
• Cuba
• Christmas Island
• Cyprus
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Algeria
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• Gabon
• Grenada
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Ghana
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Gambia
• Guinea Bissau
• Guinea
• Guadeloupe
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guatemala
• Guam
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Honduras
• Haiti
• Indonesia
• Israel
• India
• Iraq
• Iran
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Kiribati
• Comoros
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• North Korea
• Kuwait
• Cayman Islands
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Saint Lucia
• Sri Lanka
• Liberia
• Lesotho
• Morocco
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• Macedonia
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Macau
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Martinique
• Mauritania
• Montserrat
• Mauritius
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• New Caledonia
• Niger
• Norfolk Island
• Nigeria
• Nicaragua
• Nepal
• Nauru
• Niue
• Oman
• Panama
• Peru
• French Polynesia
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Pakistan
• Sierra Leone
• Senegal
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Swaziland
• Caicos Islands
• Chad
• Togo
• Thailand
• Tajikistan
• Tokelau
• Timor Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Tuvalu
• Tanzania
• Ukraine
• Uganda
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vatican City
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• British Virgin Islands
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Mayotte
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Qatar
• Seychelles
• Rwanda
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Paraguay
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Palestine
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Isle of Man
• Guernsey
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saint Martin
• Saint Helena
• Reunion
• Jersey
• Curacao
• Cape Verde
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• Bonaire

Visa-free entry

• Bermuda
• Bahamas
• Canada
• Micronesia
• Marshall Islands
• Palau
• United States Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico

Entry requirements for children

Children traveling to the US should follow the same entry requirements as adult travelers, i.e., to hold a valid passport, visa, and other applicable entry documents.

If a minor (aged 17 and less) is traveling accompanied by only one parent or with someone who is not their parent or legal guardian, it may be necessary to present a notarized letter of consent.

Transit information

Although you may not plan an extended stay in the USA and you simply wish to transit through the country before reaching your final destination, you will still need to obtain a transit visa or ESTA (depending on your eligibility).

If you are a national of one of the 40 countries eligible for ESTA, do remember to register for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, even if you do not plan to exit the transit zone before taking your connecting flight.

Also, make sure that you meet all entry requirements applicable to your final destination, including visa and COVID-related requirements.

Important information

• Traveling to the US requires holding a valid visa or ESTA (if a national of one of the VWP member countries).
• There are only a few nationalities that can travel to the United States without any prior travel authorization, including Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands.
• The US no longer requires travelers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. They do not need to present a negative test either.
• Completing the US CDC Contact Tracing Form before arriving in the US is still mandatory.
• Passengers only transiting through the States also need to hold a transit visa or ESTA.