Do you need an ESTA when arriving in the USA from Canada?

Planning to spend a few days in Canada before heading to the United States? No problem! But make sure you follow the requirements carefully. If you have a European passport, here’s how it works depending on how you travel:

1/ Arriving by plane or boat

• If you’re flying between Montreal and New York, or taking any other flight or boat from Canada to the United States, you must apply for an ESTA from the US authorities. The ESTA is an electronic travel authorization that you need to complete at least 72 hours before your flight on the official ESTA website. ESTA cost: $40.27 as of October 1, 2026. Be aware that many fake ESTA sites charge more. Always use the official site.
• You’ll find on my blog an article explaining how to fill out an ESTA and a video showing you step-by-step how to complete the ESTA.
• Pay close attention to this question: “Is your trip to the United States a transit to another country?” It’s straightforward: answer “no” if you plan to spend at least one night in the US, and “yes” if you’re taking an immediate connecting flight to another country.
• One more thing: the ESTA is valid for 2 years. If you return to the United States within that time, regardless of how you travel, you don’t need to apply for a new ESTA.

2/ Arriving by road, train, or on foot

• Since October 1, 2022, you must have an ESTA to enter the US by road, train, or on foot. The entry requirements are exactly the same as for air arrivals.
• If you cross the border on foot, for example at Niagara Falls, the immigration interview process is exactly the same as at an airport. The immigration officer will take your fingerprints, photograph you, and ask you a few questions. Here are the 5 most common questions asked at US immigration.
• You no longer need to fill out the old I-94W form. The ESTA simplifies entry by road or on foot.

3/ Apply for an eTA, “Canada’s ESTA”

• If you’re European and traveling to Canada, you must apply for an eTA, the Canadian equivalent of the ESTA. The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is valid for 5 years as long as you use the same passport and it doesn’t expire during that time.
• The Canadian eTA costs 7 Canadian dollars, nothing more. Watch out for fake sites charging inflated prices. To avoid surprises, use our link and go through the official eTA website of the Canadian government.