Visa Waiver Questions
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Do I need a visa or do I just need to fill out the online ESTA authorization?
Please find instructions on our website.
- How soon in advance should I apply for the ESTA?
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What kind of passport do I need?
What kind of passport do I need?
Effective October 26, 2004, travelers--including children of any age--who are eligible to enter the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program are required to present machine readable passports.
Under existing U.S. regulations, Danish passports issued on or after October 26, 2006, must contain biometric identifiers in order to qualify the bearer for visa-free travel on the Visa Waiver Program.
All valid Danish nationality passports can be used when applying for an ESTA. If your passport is not Danish, please check the passport requirements.
- What should I do if I overstayed on a previous visit?
- Can I enter the United States from anywhere in the world?
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If I enter the United States for a holiday, can I then travel to Canada/Mexico/ Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean?
If I enter the United States for a holiday, can I then travel to Canada/Mexico/ Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean?
Yes, provided you have a return or onward ticket. If your return journey will take you back through the United States, even if only in transit, the total trip, including both periods of time spent in the United States/Canada/Mexico Bermuda, or the islands in the Caribbean cannot exceed 90 days. If it does, you will require a visa.
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What if I want to stay in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean?
What if I want to stay in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean?
If your ticket terminates in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean, you must be a legal resident of the area in order to qualify for visa free travel. If you are not and your stay will extend beyond 90 days from the date on which you first entered the United States, you will require a visa.
- If I travel to the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, will I be able to get the 90 days extended?
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Can I enter the United States by land from Canada or Mexico?
Can I enter the United States by land from Canada or Mexico?
Yes. If you enter by land there is no requirement that you be in possession of a round trip or onward ticket. The immigration authorities at the border crossing will issue you with the arrival/departure record card, 1-94W. You will be charged a $6.00 administrative fee; the fee is payable in U.S. dollars only. The 6.00$ fee is charged to all travelers regardless of whether or not they have a visa. For those entering the United States by air or sea, the fee is included in the cost of their ticket.
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If I fly into the United States and out of Canada or Mexico, do I need a visa?
If I fly into the United States and out of Canada or Mexico, do I need a visa?
It will depend on your itinerary. If you have an onward ticket for each stage of your journey, including the journey between the United States and Canada or Mexico, you may travel without a visa. Should you choose to travel this way, you must be in possession of the tickets for each stage of your journey on your initial entry into the United States. You cannot buy the ticket for the journey between the United States and Canada or Mexico on your arrival in the United States. If you will depart the United States for Canada or Mexico by private transport, you will require a visa.
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My passport is not valid for six months does this matter if I'm traveling visa free?
My passport is not valid for six months does this matter if I'm traveling visa free?
With the exception of passport holders of Andorra, Brunei, and San Marino, the requirement that a passport be valid for six months beyond the holders stay in the United States is waived. If your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be admitted into the United States until the date on which the passport expires. Note: Citizens of Andorra, Brunei, and San Marino, are not covered by this ruling and must be in possession of passports valid for at least six months from the date on which they depart the United States, regardless of their proposed length of stay.
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If I am transiting through the United States to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean, does the 90 day period begin on my initial entry into the United States, even though I am there for only a couple of hours?
If I am transiting through the United States to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean, does the 90 day period begin on my initial entry into the United States, even though I am there for only a couple of hours?
The regulations are the same as if you entered the United States for a holiday. If you will transit the United States, even if only for a couple of hours, to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the islands of the Caribbean the total trip, including both periods of time spent in the United States, Canada/Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean islands cannot exceed 90 days. If it does, you will require a visa, unless you are a legal permanent resident of the country.
- I have been refused a visa under Section 221(g) or 214(b) of the Immigration & Nationality Act; can I travel visa free?
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I am entering the United States aboard a private plane, can I travel visa free?
I am entering the United States aboard a private plane, can I travel visa free?
If you are entering the United States aboard a private aircraft of a U.S. corporation that has entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to carry passengers under the Visa Waiver Program, you will not require a visa, if you are otherwise qualified to travel visa free. If you are entering aboard any other private or official aircraft, you will require a visa.
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How can I find out if my employer can carry visa free passengers on its aircraft?
How can I find out if my employer can carry visa free passengers on its aircraft?
You must contact your employer. The Embassy does not have a list of corporations that have entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to carry passengers under the Visa Waiver Program.
- I am entering the United States on a private yacht; do I qualify for visa free travel?
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Is there a limit to the number of times I may travel to the United States visa free in any given period of time?
Is there a limit to the number of times I may travel to the United States visa free in any given period of time?
There is no limit to the number of times you may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program in any given period. There is also no minimum period of time you are required to remain outside the U.S. before reapplying for admission. However, if you are a frequent traveler to the United States you should be sure to carry with you for presentation to U.S. immigration evidence of your residence abroad to which you intend returning at the end of your visit together with evidence of funds sufficient for your support while in the United States. If the immigration inspector is not convinced that you are a bona fide visitor for business or tourism, you can be denied entry.
FAQ topics
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I have questions about the Visa Waiver Program and/or ESTA.
I have a question about the DS-160 application
form.
I have questions about the validity of my passport.
I have questions about the Validity of my visa.
I am a student and I have questions about student visas.
I work in the entertainment industry and I have questions about what type of visa I need.
I am a diplomat or government official and I have questions about what visa rules apply for me.
I have questions about the visa fees.
I have questions about the Treaty Trader visa.
I have general questions about visa/entry into the U.S. not covered by the above topics.
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