Visa Waiver Program
This program allows citizens of certain countries to enter the USA without a visa for up to 90 days. See here which countries participate in this program.
Visa
You need a visa if your passport does not meet the requirements or if you are not from a Visa Waiver Program country. Please check with the U.S. Embassy in your country regarding the procedure.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
All travelers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program are required to apply for electronic travel authorization. We recommend doing this at least 72 hours before departure. It is advisable to print the authorization and carry it with you.
Without valid ESTA authorization at the time of check-in, the airline must deny you boarding.
Validity of ESTA Authorization
The ESTA authorization is valid for up to two years unless revoked or until your passport expires. It is valid for multiple entries into the USA. Update changes such as destination address, travel route, or future travel plans directly on the ESTA website.
Passport Requirements
Depending on the date of issue, your passport must meet the following requirements:
- Issued before 10/26/2005: must include a machine-readable zone (lines with personal information in OCR-B font).
- Issued between 10/26/2005 and 10/25/2006: must include a machine-readable zone and a digital passport photo.
- Issued on or after 10/26/2006: must be an e-passport with a chip containing biographic and biometric data as well as a digital photo.
Further information can be found here.
Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS)
APIS is a legal regulation by U.S. immigration authorities: on the day of departure, airlines transmit the collected data exclusively to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. To avoid issues at your destination, it is important to correctly and completely fill out the APIS form.
For entry into the USA, the following forms must be completed during your flight:
White Form (I-94)
U.S. authorities require travelers with visa obligations to provide information about themselves, entry and exit details, and visa information on the white form. Please complete the form on both sides in block letters and do not forget your signature.
Special notation: In the USA, the number '7' has no crossbar and the number '1' is written as a simple vertical line.
Blue Form (6059B)
The customs form must be completed by all travelers, regardless of visa status. On the front side, you must provide personal details. On the back, you must declare dutiable goods.