ESTA and ETIAS are travel authorizations, not visas. If you're from a visa-exempt country, you apply online before you travel — ESTA to visit the United States, ETIAS for travel to much of Europe. They're quick and inexpensive on the official government sites, but the topic is crawling with lookalike websites that overcharge, so knowing where to apply matters as much as knowing you need one.
⚠️ Only apply on the official government website. Many copycat sites rank in ads and search and charge a big markup (or worse, harvest your data) for something you can do yourself. Confirm you're on the real government site before entering any passport or payment details — for the US that's esta.cbp.dhs.gov, for Europe travel-europe.europa.eu/etias (official EU site).
What is ESTA?
- ESTA = Electronic System for Travel Authorization, run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- It's for travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries visiting the US for short tourism/business stays — you apply online and get approved to board.
- The official fee is US$40 (raised on September 30, 2025, and now adjusted for inflation). An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips of up to 90 days each. Apply well before you fly in case of review.
- Apply on the official U.S. CBP ESTA site (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) — not a third-party "ESTA service".
What is ETIAS?
- ETIAS = European Travel Information and Authorisation System, for visa-exempt travelers visiting participating European countries for short stays.
- Like ESTA, it's an online authorization tied to your passport, not a visa — you apply before travel.
- As of October 2026, ETIAS is not yet in operation: no applications are being accepted and the EU hasn't announced a start date (it has been postponed several times; 2027 is widely expected). Once it launches, it will cost €20 (free for under-18s and over-70s) and be valid for 3 years. Until then you don't need it — and any site taking ETIAS payments today is not official. Watch the official EU ETIAS website for the launch.
- Don't confuse ETIAS with EES. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is already fully running (since April 10, 2026): instead of passport stamps, non-EU travelers have their fingerprints and face photo registered at the Schengen border on their first entry. There's nothing to apply for or pay — just allow extra time at the border on your first trip.
- Going to the UK? The UK is outside Schengen and runs its own scheme: U.S. and other visa-exempt visitors need a UK ETA (currently £20, up from £16 on April 8, 2026) before traveling, applied for via the official UK government app or gov.uk.
ESTA vs ETIAS at a glance
| ESTA | ETIAS | |
|---|---|---|
| For entering | United States | Participating European countries |
| Who | Visa Waiver Program travelers | Visa-exempt travelers |
| Type | Travel authorization (not a visa) | Travel authorization (not a visa) |
| Apply | Official U.S. CBP site, before you fly | Official EU ETIAS site (check current status) |
Do you need one — and how to apply safely
- It depends on your nationality and destination. Some travelers need a full visa instead; others neither. Check the official source for your passport and where you're going.
- Have your passport ready — you'll enter passport details, so make sure it's valid (and see the 6-month rule).
- Apply early, not the night before — most approvals are fast, but some go to review.
- Use the official site only, save your approval/confirmation, and be wary of any site charging large "service" fees.
ESTA & ETIAS FAQ
Is ESTA or ETIAS a visa?
No. Both are travel authorizations for visa-exempt travelers, tied to your passport and applied for online before you travel. If your nationality isn't eligible for the waiver program, you may need an actual visa instead — check official sources.
Do I need ESTA to visit the US?
If you're from a Visa Waiver Program country traveling for a short tourism/business stay and arriving by air or sea, you generally need an approved ESTA. Requirements depend on your nationality and trip — confirm on the official U.S. CBP site.
Is ETIAS required now?
No — not as of October 2026. ETIAS hasn't launched, no applications are accepted, and no start date has been announced (2027 is widely expected). When it starts it will cost €20 and last 3 years. Watch the official site (travel-europe.europa.eu/etias) and ignore sites already charging for it.
How do I avoid ESTA/ETIAS scam websites?
Apply only on the official government website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov for the US ESTA and travel-europe.europa.eu/etias for Europe's ETIAS. Many third-party sites rank in ads and charge inflated fees or collect your data — verify the domain before entering passport or payment details, and be suspicious of large "processing" charges.
How far ahead should I apply?
Well before departure. Most authorizations are approved quickly, but some are held for review, and you may be denied boarding without one. Applying early leaves room if anything needs follow-up.
General information only, not legal or immigration advice. Entry requirements, fees, validity and the status of programs like ETIAS depend on your nationality and destination and change over time — always confirm on the official government websites (such as U.S. CBP for ESTA and the EU's official ETIAS site) before you travel.