Travel to the USA: what are the formalities (passport, Esta, visa...)?

Verified 20 October 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The formalities to go to the United States for a stay of less than 90 days depend on type of passport that you own. But, in any case, your passport must be valid.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You have a classic passport

If you have a French passport valid or if you are a European and you are traveling to the USA for a maximum of 90 days, you do not need a visa.

By contrast, before your departure, you must request a electronic travel authorization (Esta).

Esta's request is made on the internet:

Application for travel authorization to the United States (Esta)

In general, the decision is made within 72 hours of your request.

Issuance of the Esta costs $40.

The Esta is valid 2 years and allows you to travel to the United States several times without needing a new authorization. If your passport expires before this deadline, the authorization is valid only until its expiry date.

Please note

If you arrive in the United States by road or by train (via Canada or Mexico), Esta is required. Thus, you must receive an Esta before applying for admission to the USA and continue to pay the I-94W fee of $6, unless you enter the 90-day admission period.

If you enter the United States by plane or by boatHowever, the I-94 form is generated automatically upon arrival and you do not have to pay any additional fees.

However, you must be in possession of a visa affixed to your French passport by the US authorities before your departure if you are in one of the following situations:

  • You have dual nationality with some countries and/or you traveled there after February 2011
  • You have been in Cuba since January 12, 2021, or you intend to go there before entering the United States.
  • You travel to the USA by boat or private plane through Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands

It is strongly recommended that you contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to your departure.

Please note

It can take several weeks to obtain a visa.

You got an emergency passport

You have need a visa regardless of the type of trip (tourist, professional or simple transit on american soil)

To get it, you have to do the Application to the U.S. Embassy.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

FAQ