If you want to travel to the United States of America, you need a USA visa or ESTA USA, even if you are only in the USA for transit. The only exception to this rule is for travelers with a valid US or Canadian passport. In most cases, you only need to apply for an ESTA instead of a visa for your vacation or business trip to the USA. On this page you will find out everything you should know about the differences between an ESTA and a visa and which visa is required for your purpose of travel.
Should I apply for an ESTA USA or a USA visa?
In general, tourists and business travelers with a passport from Germany, Austria, another EU country, the United Kingdom or Switzerland can travel to the USA with an ESTA instead of a visa. For example, for a holiday, visiting friends or relatives, a medical trip or volunteer work. Applying for an ESTA is easier and cheaper than a US visa. Therefore, before applying for a visa for the USA, always check whether you and your purpose of travel meet the requirements for the ESTA.
When do I need a visa for tourism or a business trip?
Both the ESTA USA as well as the B-1 and B-2 visas are intended for tourist, business and medical travel. In most cases, an ESTA is sufficient and you do not need to apply for a US visa.
However, you should apply for a visa for the USA in the following cases:
- You plan to stay in the United States for more than 90 consecutive days
- Your purpose of travel does not fall under the Business, Tourism, or Medical categories (examples of travel purposes that do not qualify for ESTA: journalism, investing in the US, working with a US employer, or studying in the US)
- You are traveling to the USA on a private plane, ship or airline that is not affiliated with the ESTA system
- You have resided in Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Sudan, Yemen, Libya or Somalia since March 10, 2011, or your (second) nationality is one of these countries
- You were in Cuba on or after January 21, 2021
- You cannot answer “No” to all security questions on the ESTA form
- You do not have a passport with citizenship of a VWP country
- They are not permitted under Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
If you are planning a stay of no more than 90 days and you meet the other ESTA requirements, you can apply for your ESTA here.
Information about the USA visa
Many types of visas can be applied for in the United States. On this page you will find general information about each visa category. Some visa types have further subcategories with small differences, e.g., a special type of visa for certain nationalities, or a visa with a different application procedure. In total there are more than 185 different visas for the United States, so it is very important to be well informed.
Overview of visas for the USA
Below you will find an overview of all visa types for travel to the USA. Unlike the ESTA, all other US visas should be applied for at the US Embassy or Consulate.
Tourist and business visas
| Visa and purpose of travel | Permitted | Not allowed |
| B-1 visa | Participate in a conference or convention for scientific, business or educational purposes
Hold consultations or negotiations with business partners
Volunteer work (also possible with an ESTA)
Attend a short course |
Study in the US
Take long-term professional courses
Do an internship with work activities?
Work for an American employer in the US
Get paid for performing or other professional services. Winning prize money is not considered payment and is therefore permitted.
Arrived as a crew member of a ship or aircraft
Permanent residence in the USA |
| B-2 Visa
Temporary visa for tourism |
Holidays or visiting friends/relatives
Undergoing medical treatment
Participation in music and/or sporting events/competitions (as an amateur)
Short recreational courses of less than 18 hours per week |
|
| Combination of B-1 and B-2 | A temporary US visa for business and tourism. This is a combination of Visa B1 and Visa B2. | |
Study and exchange-related visas
| F-Visual | For students who wish to pursue full-time study at a US institution. Students with this visa may also work on campus for payment; maximum 20 hours during the school year and full-time during holidays. After the first year, off-campus internships are also permitted. Spouses and children of these students can also travel with this visa. |
| M-View | For students who want to take non-academic courses, such as e.g. junior or community colleges. With the M visa, students are not allowed to work or change their study program. However, students are allowed to do internships if they are related to their degree. Spouses and children of students can also travel with this visa. |
| J-Visa | For both students and employees participating in exchange programs recognized by the State Department. Examples of this are interns, au pairs, teachers, supervisors of holiday camps and doctors. This visa encourages exchanges to improve mutual understanding between Americans and residents of other countries. Visa holders apply for this visa for the United States themselves. Spouses and children require a J-2 visa to live and work in the United States. |
Work Visas
| H-Visual | For employees with special jobs who want to work in the USA on a temporary basis. There are also subcategories of the H visa for internships and certain training courses, for seasonal workers, and for the spouse and children of the H visa holder. |
| I-Visual | For representatives of foreign media. With this visa for the USA, journalists and other employees in the fields of press, media or journalism are allowed to work in the USA for a limited period of time. |
| L-Visa | For employees with specialist knowledge or in managerial positions in companies that have branches both in their home country and in the USA. The visa can also be used to open a branch in the United States. To apply for this visa, the worker must have been employed for at least one year. The visa is valid for a maximum of 7 years, both for the employees and for their spouses and/or their children. The visa enables easier transfer within companies. |
| O-Visual | For individuals who demonstrate exceptional ability in science, art, education, business, or sports. These people must be able to demonstrate that they have been successful and that the work is temporary. |
| P-Visual | For internationally recognized entertainers, athletes, artists, or members of the team supporting their activities in the United States. |
| Q-Visual | For workers participating in an exchange program where culture and knowledge of both parties/countries are exchanged. The Q visa is applied for by the employer on behalf of the prospective visa holder and the visa holder must be sponsored by the employer or organization. |
Visa USA for other specific purposes
| A-View | For representatives of foreign governments to participate in diplomatic activities in the United States. Immediate family members of civil servants can enter the United States on an A visa. There is also a Type A visa for foreign military personnel stationed in the US, but they are more likely to use a NATO visa. |
| C-Visual | For travelers making a stopover in the United States en route to their final destination. Tourist or business activities are not permitted with this visa. For a stopover in the USA, travelers can also apply for an ESTA if they meet the requirements. |
| D-Visual | For crew members of airlines and commercial ocean-going vessels making frequent short layovers in the United States. This includes flight attendants, pilots, captains and service personnel on board ships. An international crew member who needs to travel to the United States to board the ship requires a combination of a C1 and a D visa. |
| E-Visual | For investors and traders who want to do business in the USA. To qualify for an e-Visa, an interest in the company being invested in or trading with someone in the US should be demonstrated. In addition, the investor should have a significant function in the company being invested in and should also have an investment of at least $100,000. |
| G-Visual | For diplomats, civil servants and employees already working for international organizations in the United States. Members and/or family members of this group can also use the G visa. |
| R-Visual | For religious workers who wish to reside in the United States on a temporary basis. You should be a member of a religious non-profit organization. This nonprofit organization must have been a US resident for more than 2 years. Family members of religious workers may qualify for a sub-category of this visa (R-2 visa). |
| S-View | Also known as the Snitch visa, the visa is for whistleblowers with a criminal or terrorist background who need to assist law enforcement in preventing illegal activity in the United States. Individuals with criminal records or problematic immigration status may qualify for this United States visa if they can actually provide valuable information. In the USA there is witness protection for witnesses who are in danger because they provide valuable information. |
| TN Visa requirement | For Canadians and Mexicans who hold NAFTA-listed occupations or qualifications. Also, in most cases, these individuals must have at least a bachelor’s degree and work at a predetermined job. |
| T and U – Visa | This visa is typically granted to victims (and their immediate family members) of psychological or physical violence who are willing to assist law enforcement or government officials in identifying criminals and investigating criminal activity. |
| V visa | |
| (immigrant visa) | This visa is issued to the spouse and minor children of US permanent residents. It allows permanent residents to temporarily bring their families to the United States for family reunification until family members receive permanent residency. |