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United States · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for the US?

Entry rules for the US by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS), checked .

In brief

Citizens of 4 countries and territories can visit the US without a visa. 42 can apply for an eVisa or ETA online. Everyone else, 152 nationalities, needs a visa.

US visa fee: The non-refundable visa application (MRV) fee for B visas is $185.00 (fees page, Wayback capture of 9 July 2026). Official fee. Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, checked , read from an archived copy of 9 Jul 2026.

US visa processing time: No standard processing time is promised: after the interview an application may need further administrative processing. Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, checked , read from an archived copy of 11 Jul 2026.

ESTA fee: The ESTA costs US $40.62 per application, paid online by MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover (JCB, Diners Club) or PayPal. Official fee since . Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), official ESTA website, checked .

ESTA processing time: In most cases ESTA applicants get a real-time decision on their application. Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, checked .

Visa-free
4
On arrival
0
eVisa or ETA
42
Visa required
152

About 7.0 bn people (90% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to the US: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.

Checked 31 Oct 2026Source: Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1Report a change

Most commonIndiaVietnamBrazilJapanTürkiyeUnited KingdomAll passports

United States entry rules at a glance

GroupStayNationalitiesExamplesSource
Free movementUnlimited length of stay2Micronesia, Marshall IslandsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Free movementIndefinite length of stay1PalauU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Visa-freeNot stated1CanadaCode of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1
ETA90 days42Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, AustraliaU.S. Department of Homeland Security
Visa requiredNot stated1BahamasCode of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1
Entry suspendedNot stated12Iran, Myanmar, Sudan, AfghanistanThe White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998
Entry suspendedNot stated8Niger, Syria, Mali, Burkina FasoThe White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998
Entry suspendedNot stated4Venezuela, Burundi, Cuba, TogoThe White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998
Entry suspendedNot stated15Nigeria, Tanzania, Angola, Côte d'IvoireThe White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998
With another visa or permitNot stated1BahamasCode of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1
Visa requiredAs granted112India, Vietnam, Brazil, TürkiyeCode of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1

Free movement: Micronesia and the Marshall Islands

2 nationalities

Compact of Free Association; not for passports obtained through investment or passport-sale programs.

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), checked Citizens of the FSM and RMI by birth and those citizens of the former TTPI who acquired FSM or RMI citizenship in 1986 are entitled under the Compacts to travel and apply for admission to the United States as nonimmigrants without visas.

Free movement: Palau

1 nationality

Compact of Free Association.

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), checked Citizens of Palau by birth, and citizens of the former TTPI who acquired Palau citizenship in 1994, are entitled under the Compact to travel and apply for admission to the United States as nonimmigrants without visas.

Visa-free: Canada

1 nationality

No visa is needed; the official source does not state how long you may stay.

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS), checked Canadian citizens. A visa is generally not required for Canadian citizens, except those Canadians that fall under nonimmigrant visa categories E, K, S, or V

ETA for 90 days: Japan, the UK, Italy and 39 more

42 nationalities

E-passport required.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, checked Eligible citizens or nationals from VWP countries must obtain approval through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the VWP.

Visa required: the Bahamas

1 nationality

Apply for a visa before you travel.

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS), checked Bahamian nationals or British subjects resident in the Bahamas. A passport is required. A visa required of such an alien unless

Entry suspended: Iran, Myanmar, Sudan and 9 more

12 nationalities

Entry suspended since 9 Jun 2025 (Proclamation 10949, continued by Proclamation 10998); a visa issued before then, travel on another country's passport and case-by-case national-interest waivers are excepted.

Source: The White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998 (Federal Register, 90 FR 59717), checked The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries continues to be suspended and limited as set forth in Proclamation 10949 and herein

Entry suspended: Niger, Syria, Mali and 5 more

8 nationalities

Entry as immigrants and nonimmigrants suspended since 1 Jan 2026; for PS: anyone travelling on Palestinian Authority documents; a visa issued before then, travel on another country's passport and case-by-case national-interest waivers are excepted.

Source: The White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998 (Federal Register, 90 FR 59717), checked Full Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern. The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries is hereby suspended and limited

Entry suspended: Venezuela, Burundi, Cuba and 1 more

4 nationalities

Entry on B-1/B-2 visitor visas suspended since 9 Jun 2025 (Proclamation 10949, continued by Proclamation 10998); a visa issued before then, travel on another country's passport and case-by-case national-interest waivers are excepted.

Source: The White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998 (Federal Register, 90 FR 59717), checked Continued Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern. The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries continues to be suspended and limited as set forth in Proclamation 10949 and herein

Entry suspended: Nigeria, Tanzania, Angola and 12 more

15 nationalities

Entry on B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 visitor visas suspended since 1 Jan 2026; a visa issued before then, travel on another country's passport and case-by-case national-interest waivers are excepted.

Source: The White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998 (Federal Register, 90 FR 59717), checked Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern. The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries is hereby suspended and limited, as follows

With another visa or a residence permit: the Bahamas

1 nationality

No visa only if cleared by U.S. immigration (preclearance) in the Bahamas before boarding a ship or aircraft to the U.S.

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS), checked A visa required of such an alien unless, prior to or at the time of embarkation for the United States on a vessel or aircraft, the alien satisfied the examining U.S. immigration officer at the Bahamas, that he or she is clearly and beyond a doubt entitled to admission

Visa required: India, Vietnam, Brazil and 109 more

112 nationalities

Apply before you travel at an embassy or consulate of the US, or the visa centre it names.

Nationalities not listed above: the official source says so in as many words.

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS), checked A valid unexpired visa that meets the requirements of part 215, subpart B, of this chapter, if applicable, and an unexpired passport, shall be presented by each arriving nonimmigrant alien

Where to apply

Apply for the ETA only on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Look-alike sites charge extra for the same form. A visa is applied for at an embassy or consulate of the US, or the visa centre it names, in the country where you live.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules. Our guides: ESTA: who needs one for the US and how to apply, US visitor visa (B1/B2): who needs one and how to apply, US transit visa: who needs one, Countries you can visit with a US visa.

Most searched passports

FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit the US?

It depends on your passport: 4 nationalities are visa-free, 42 can use an eVisa or ETA and 152 need a visa. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for the US?

Yes. Indian citizens need a visa before they travel to the US (Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS), checked 31 Oct 2026).

Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for the US?

Yes. Vietnamese citizens need a visa before they travel to the US (Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS), checked 31 Oct 2026).

Can I apply for an United States visa online?

Yes, if you are eligible: 42 nationalities can apply online for an eVisa or ETA. Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

Sources and changes

  1. Visa Waiver Program (DHS)dhs.gov · checked 31 Oct 2026
  2. Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS)ecfr.gov · checked 31 Oct 2026
  3. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)uscis.gov · checked 31 Oct 2026
  4. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)uscis.gov · checked 31 Oct 2026
  5. The White House, Presidential Proclamation 10998 (Federal Register, 90 FR 59717)federalregister.gov · checked 31 Oct 2026
  6. ESTA application (official, CBP)esta.cbp.dhs.gov · checked 31 Oct 2026
  7. Visitor visa (U.S. Department of State)travel.state.gov · checked 31 Oct 2026
  1. All groups checked against U.S. Department of Homeland Security (CBP) and U.S. Department of State. No change since.

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