Do you need an ESTA for a US transit?
If you're stopping over in the United States to continue to another destination, be careful: you must apply for a specific ESTA! Here's what you need to know.
You’re traveling to Canada, South America, the Caribbean, Polynesia, or anywhere else with a stopover in the United States? You’ll need an electronic travel authorization called an ESTA.
Apply at least 72 hours before your flight. That said, don’t wait until the last minute—give yourself some extra time.
How to get an ESTA for a transit?
- Go to the official US government website. Make sure you’re on the official site—many fake sites charge far more than the standard $40 fee.
- Answer all questions about your identity on the “Applicant Information” page, then click “Next.”
- You’ll reach a page titled “Travel Information.” This is where you need to pay attention. The first question asks “Is your travel to the United States a transit to another country?” Since it is, answer “Yes.”
- Complete the remaining questions as you would for a standard ESTA. For help, you can read my step-by-step guide to filling out an ESTA application and watch the ESTA overview video. At the end, you’ll pay $40. Tip: if the price is more than $40 per person, you’re not on the official site.
What’s the difference between a transit ESTA and a regular ESTA?
- Important: a transit ESTA does not allow you to leave the transit area or spend a night on US soil. If you want to leave the airport or stay overnight, you need a regular ESTA by answering “No” to the question “Is your travel to the United States a transit to another country?”
- If you spend even one night in New York or anywhere else in the United States, your time on US soil is no longer considered a transit. 😉
Is a transit ESTA valid for multiple trips?
- Like a regular ESTA, a transit ESTA is valid for 2 years. This means you can transit through the United States as many times as you want during those 2 years! 🙂
- Once you’ve completed your first US transit, your transit ESTA also allows you to return to the US for a stay. You don’t need to apply again or request a separate ESTA. Your transit ESTA serves as your regular ESTA. We received official confirmation of this important detail from US immigration services in December 2024.
- Simply present your passport to the immigration officer and let them know that this time you’re coming to stay in the US.
- Have questions? Feel free to ask below, on the New York Forum, or on the Destination New York Facebook group, and I’ll get back to you! 🙂