Skip Navigation
travel.state.gov > Visas > Tourism & Visit

Tourism & Visit

Foreign travelers to the United States for short visits, for example tourism, vacation, visiting family and friends, or medical treatment, need visitor visas unless they qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

Need Help Getting Started?

TRY OUR VISA WIZARD

Visitor Visa

  1. Overview
  2. How to Apply
  3. Fees
  4. Required Documentation

For visits such as tourism, seeing family and friends, or medical treatment.

 

Visa Waiver Program

Requires ESTA Approval

Most citizens of participating countries* may travel to the United States for short visits without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program.

 

Canadian & Bermudian Citizens

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism and visits.

 

Traveling to the United States for another reason?

See All Visa Categories

Reference

* With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” on this page, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.