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United States visa

Americas · Northern America

Prepare your trip to the United States: visitor visa, ESTA, study, or temporary work. Find the consular procedures, documents, and official fees. Your nationality, travel documents, and purpose of stay determine the conditions; CBP decides admission at the border.

Updated on 18 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 18 October 2026

At a glance

Authorities
Department of State for visas; CBP for admission at the border.
Visa application
Online DS-160 form and instructions from the consular post; interview generally required.
ESTA
Travel authorization for persons eligible under the Visa Waiver Program, distinct from a visa.
Length of stay
VWP: 90 days maximum. With a visa, check the period granted at admission; visa validity does not set it.

Do you need a visa?

Vatican City passport: visa required for a short tourist stay.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

General rule stated by the source (usa.gov, page updated on 14/04/2026): country not participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) → visitor visa required (B-2 for tourism).

Official source: DHS — U.S. Visa Waiver Program (42 countries); additional official sources: usa.gov, 8 CFR 212.1, USCIS pages, Proclamation 10998DHS — U.S. Visa Waiver Program (42 pays) ; compléments officiels : usa.gov, 8 CFR 212.1, fiches USCIS, Proclamation 10998 (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

United States visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 4

List of nationalities

Electronic travel authorization 42

List of nationalities

Visa required 111

List of nationalities

Entry not admitted 39

List of nationalities

Information not available 1

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

Visitor visa (B-1/B-2)
B-1 for certain business activities, B-2 for tourism and visits, or combined B-1/B-2. Ordinary employment or degree studies require another route. Official page (new tab)
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and ESTA
Tourism or business travel for 90 days maximum for eligible persons, with a compliant passport, an ESTA approved before travel, and all conditions met. Official page (new tab)
Student visa (F or M)
F for academic or language studies, M for vocational training. Admission to a SEVP-certified school, SEVIS, and form I-20; visa when nationality and circumstances require it. Official page (new tab)
Temporary worker visa (categories H, L, O, P, Q…)
Criteria depend on the category. Many routes require an employer petition approved by USCIS before the visa application; a job offer alone is not enough. Official page (new tab)

Choosing the route and consular post

First check your eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program or another exemption. Residence in a participating country does not replace the required nationality; certain travel history or dual nationality also affects VWP eligibility.

Under the 15 July 2026 notice, schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment in your country of nationality or residence. If you rely on residence, you must be able to prove it. Where ordinary consular operations are suspended, consult the designated post and the exceptions in the official notice.

Applying for a visitor visa

  1. Complete the DS-160 form online and print its confirmation.
  2. Upload the photograph, then follow the chosen post's payment and appointment instructions.
  3. The interview is generally required, including for minors and the elderly. Waivers are limited and the consulate may always request an interview.
  4. Present the requested documents; fingerprints are generally taken during the process.
  5. Wait for the decision and passport return instructions before finalizing your trip.

To study or work, steps with the school or employer precede the visa application when required.

Documents for a visit

For the VWP, check in particular the electronic passport and the ESTA approved before departure. Study and work documents belong to their own routes.

Fees and timelines

As of 18 October 2026, the visitor visa application costs 185 USD, non-refundable. Issuance fees may be added depending on nationality. Other categories and SEVIS or employer steps have their own fees.

Since 16 October 2026, ESTA fees are 40.62 USD when authorization is approved and 10.62 USD if denied, according to the Federal Register notice.

Interview wait times vary by post, season, and category. Additional administrative processing may lengthen the procedure; consult the post handling the application before setting your dates.

Entry and authorized stay

A visa or ESTA does not guarantee entry. CBP decides admission; comply with the period shown on your I-94 record or admission stamp, which is distinct from visa validity.

Under the VWP, the stay does not exceed 90 days and normally cannot be extended or changed to another status. A short visit to Canada, Mexico, or a neighboring island generally does not reset this count.

Study, work, and special restrictions

For F or M studies, start with admission to a SEVP-certified school, SEVIS registration, applicable I-901 fees and form I-20, then apply for a visa if needed. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need a student visa but must present a valid I-20.

For temporary work, choose the appropriate category. A USCIS-approved petition is required in many cases; labor certification concerns only certain categories. Visitor status does not grant a general right to employment.

Proclamation 10998, effective since 1 January 2026, suspends certain visa issuance and entry based on nationality or travel document, with exceptions. It applies to people outside the United States on that date who did not hold a valid visa on that date. It does not itself revoke visas that were already valid. Check the official notice before paying the application fee.

Prepare your application

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa or an ESTA?

It depends on your nationality, your status, and the trip. The VWP allows eligible persons to travel with an ESTA, under conditions. Other exemptions exist; do not infer a visa requirement merely because you are not using ESTA.

Where do I apply for my visa?

Follow the instructions of the consular post in your country of nationality or residence. If U.S. posts there do not provide routine consular services, consult the designated posts and exceptions in the official notice.

Is the interview mandatory?

It is generally required. Limited waivers exist, notably for certain renewals meeting all conditions; the consular officer may nevertheless request an interview.

Does visa validity determine my stay?

No. Validity concerns use of the visa to request entry. CBP sets the period of admission; check your I-94 or stamp and comply with the conditions of your status.

Can I study or work as a tourist?

Ordinary employment and degree studies require an appropriate status. A short recreational activity without university credit may be permitted on a visit; this does not replace F or M procedures.

Do the restrictions apply to everyone from an affected country?

No; their scope depends in particular on the category, travel document, situation on the effective date, and exceptions. Consult the official notice and the post's guidance; the possibility of applying does not guarantee issuance.

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