Free ESTA Eligibility Checker - Check if You Need a Visa to USA

Use this ESTA eligibility checker to determine whether you are eligible to travel

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ESTA Eligibility Checker

Are you Eligible to Apply for ESTA?

Select your citizenship*

If you are not a citizen of any of the listed countries you can choose "None of the above"

Check the option that applies to you*

I have been in North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 01, 2011.

I hold a dual nationality of a Visa Waiver country and Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria

I have traveled to China in the past 14 days

None of the above

Has your ESTA application ever been denied*

Yes

What is the purpose of your travel*

You are not eligible for ESTA and need to apply for a U.S. Visitor Visa!

For more information on the U.S. Visitor visas click here.

You need to apply for a U.S study & exchange visa

You are not eligible for ESTA and need to apply for a study and exchange visa. To learn more about the Study and Exchange visas click here

The US is supportive of international education, welcoming foreign students and exchange visitors who prior to their entry to the US for study purposes must first obtain a visa. Educational qualifications in the U.S are highly prestigious and this makes students across the world want to attend U.S institutions.

However, before applying for a visa, students and exchange visitors must be accepted by their schools or program sponsor in order to be eligible and also fulfill the general requirements in order to obtain a study visa.

There are four types of US student visas depending on the specific reason the international student wants to enter the US:

F-1 visa – for attending academic education starting from elementary to graduate school, including language courses.
M-1 visa – for students enrolled in vocational and non-academic education, excluding language courses.
J-1 visa – for studying when various organizations sponsor you.
Q-1 visa – for participants in an international cultural exchange program (which also provides opportunities for foreign nationals to come work and train in the US)

You need to apply for a U.S work visa

You are not eligible for ESTA and you need to apply for a U.S work visa. To learn more about U.S work visas and their types visit this article.

The U.S work visas are used for people to go and work temporarily in the U.S. for a specified period of time. The period of time that you will be working should be noted in the employment contract or the visa application. This type of U.S visa does not allow individuals to work in the U.S indefinitely or permanently. Applicants need to fulfill a list of requirements and submit the documents specified in the next sections of this article to be eligible to apply for a temporary work visa.

You need to apply for a U.S immigrant visa

You are not eligible for ESTA and you need to apply for a U.S immigrant. To learn more about U.S immigrant visas and their types visit this article.

Immigrant visas give its holders the right to stay in the U.S permanently. Whereas with a U.S nonimmigrant visa, the person is required to return to their home country when their visa expires, an immigrant visa does not expire. It allows you to live, work, and study in the U.S or engage in any activity you like.

You are Eligible for ESTA!

Refer to this website to apply for ESTA: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.

You don't need ESTA to visit to the U.S.

As a citizen of Canada and Bermuda you can visit the U.S without having to apply for a non-immigrant visa.

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