ESTA
ESTA and Visa Waiver Program (VWP) news for travelers from eligible countries visiting the United States without a visa for up to 90 days.
Are VWP and ESTA Still Valid During a U.S. Government Shutdown?
ESTA authorizations and the VWP remain operational during a U.S. government shutdown because CBP and DHS deem them essential. Approved ESTAs (usually valid two years) allow multiple 90-day visits, and…
State Department Ends Pandemic-Era Visa Waiver, In-Person Interviews
From September 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants must attend in-person interviews worldwide, removing age-based waivers and affecting…
U.S. Restores Hungary’s Visa Waiver Status; ESTA Valid Two Years
DHS restores Hungary’s VWP status effective September 30, 2025, reinstating two-year, multiple-entry ESTAs with 90-day stays. The ESTA…
LG Energy Solution Used ESTA Waivers as Workarounds, Documents Show
A September 2025 raid near Savannah detained over 300 South Korean workers linked to LG Energy Solution; 44%…
US Increases ESTA Fee to $40, Effective Sept 30, 2025 Under H.R. 1
Starting September 30, 2025, ESTA will cost $40 (from $21) under H.R. 1; apply before that date to…
Why CNMI Grants Visa Waivers to Chinese Nationals, Not the U.S. Mainland
The CNMI’s 2025 local visa waiver lets Chinese nationals enter CNMI with Form I-736 for short stays up…
ESTA fee to rise to $40 in U.S. starting September 30, 2025
CBP set the ESTA fee increase to $40 effective September 30, 2025. Applications approved before that date remain…
Romania removed from U.S. Visa Waiver Program; B-1/B-2 required
DHS rescinded Romania’s VWP status on May 2, 2025; ESTA approvals are void. Romanian citizens must apply for…
S. Korea Visa Waiver Extension Drives Surge in U.S. Travel Interest
A December 11, 2024 K-ETA exemption lets U.S. citizens visit South Korea visa-free up to 90 days through…
US Ends ‘Dropbox’ Visa Waivers — Even Children Now Require Interviews
On July 25, 2025, the State Department announced that Dropbox interview waivers end September 2, 2025. Most nonimmigrant…