For a successful trip across the Atlantic, a few formalities are required. Here is our clear, complete and up-to-date guide for travelers: ESTA, visas, official fees, the DS-160 form and your legal obligations.
Two conditions shape every tourist or business trip to the United States: the length of your stay and the validity of your passport.
To travel to the United States, several formalities are necessary. The first thing to know: under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the duration of a stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days per entry (about three months). This period cannot be extended from within the U.S. territory.
You must also hold a valid passport covering the entire duration of your stay. Since most eligible countries now issue electronic and biometric passports, the vast majority of travelers fall under the ESTA procedure. There are, however, two possible cases.
If your passport is not biometric (no electronic chip or machine-readable zone), you must apply for a visa suited to the nature of your stay at the nearest U.S. diplomatic mission. The type of visa varies depending on your purpose (tourism, business, studies, work…).
If your passport is biometric (optical and digital reading), you submit an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) request on the one and only official U.S. government website. The official fee is about US$21. Several pieces of information will be requested, including your passport number.
Official ESTA website — Customs and Border ProtectionIf you require a visa (or if you don't have a biometric passport), here are the current MRV application fees. Indicative amounts subject to change: always verify on the official website.
Most nonimmigrant visas require completing the DS-160 form, fully digitized by the U.S. Department of State.
Video produced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection services.
All information provided in an ESTA request, a visa application or at the border must be accurate, complete and truthful. Providing false information — whether intentionally (lying, concealment, document fraud) or unintentionally (mistake, omission, negligence) — can have serious consequences. U.S. law is especially severe regarding the willful misrepresentation of a material fact. If you make a mistake, correct it immediately and report it before any inspection.
| Penalty incurred | In which cases does it apply? | Scope / consequence | Reference law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denial of entry & immediate removal | When an officer detects, at the border, inconsistent or inaccurate answers, missing documents, or a travel purpose different from the one declared (e.g., coming to work on a simple tourist ESTA). | Turned away at the border, return to your country at your own expense. | INA §235(b)(1) 8 U.S.C. §1225 |
| Expedited removal procedure | When the traveler is subject to expedited removal for false statement, fraud or lack of valid documents. Repeat offenses, or returning before the bar ends, increase the duration. | 5-year bar on admission (first offense), up to 20 years for repeat offenses. | INA §212(a)(9)(A) 8 U.S.C. §1182 |
| Permanent inadmissibility for fraud | In case of fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact to obtain a visa, an ESTA or entry (e.g., concealing a prior visa refusal, a removal, a conviction, or lying about the real purpose of the stay). | Lifetime ban (unless a waiver is granted). | INA §212(a)(6)(C)(i) 8 U.S.C. §1182(a)(6)(C) |
| False statement to federal authorities | For any false statement made knowingly to a federal officer: ESTA/DS-160 form, consular interview, border questioning (false answer about identity, history, finances, etc.). | Fine and imprisonment up to 5 years (up to 8 years if terrorism-related). | 18 U.S.C. §1001 |
| Visa / document fraud and misuse | When using a fake passport or visa, a forged or fraudulently obtained document, identity theft, or false information entered into a travel document application. | Fine and imprisonment up to 10 years (enhanced penalties for repeat offenses or terrorism). | 18 U.S.C. §1546 |
| ESTA / visa cancellation | When inaccurate information is discovered after issuance, a change of situation was not declared, or the authorization is used in a way inconsistent with its purpose. | Immediate revocation of the authorization and obligation to apply for a visa for any future trip. | INA §217 8 U.S.C. §1187 |
| Improper entry into the territory | When a person enters (or attempts to enter) by evading immigration control, through an unauthorized point of entry, or by means of a fraudulent statement to officers. | Civil and criminal penalties for entry or attempted entry by fraud. | INA §275 8 U.S.C. §1325 |
This information is provided for general and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The statutes (Immigration and Nationality Act – INA, and Title 18 of the U.S. Code) and their application evolve over time. For any specific situation, consult the official websites (CBP, Department of State, USCIS) or a licensed U.S. immigration attorney.
Our team and community are here to help you prepare your trip to the United States with peace of mind. Also check our Green Card, E-2 Visa and Embassies guides.
Contact us