For a trip to the USA, you need a visa or the electronic travel authorization ESTA. Find out which travel permit you need for which kind of USA trip and how much your entry to the United States will cost.
For traveling to the USA, you can either use the inexpensive ESTA electronic travel authorization for $ 21 (without services) or € 49.90 (including ESTA services and security guarantees) or one of the available US visas at prices ranging from $ 185 to $ 315.
The ESTA authorization entitles you to engage in tourism as well as certain business activities in the United States and, unlike the US visa from the embassies, is significantly cheaper as well as quicker, and easier to obtain.
Prices and validity periods for US visas and ESTA can change spontaneously and without notice by the US government. Therefore, check the current conditions for your entry into the USA again shortly before your departure.
In addition to the straightforward ESTA approval, the USA issues many other visas suitable for various purposes, such as working in the USA, studying in the USA, or even immigrating to the United States.
These include:
| US visa | Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| B | Tourists and business travelers | $ 185 |
| C-1 | Transit | $ 185 |
| D | Ship and airline crews | $ 185 |
| E | Contractors/investors | $ 315 |
| F | Students | $ 185 |
| H | Temporary/seasonal workers and trainees | $ 205 |
| I | Journalists and media professionals | $ 185 |
| J | Participants in exchange programs | $ 185 |
| K | Fiancées or spouses of US citizens | $ 265 |
| L | Intra-company transferees | $ 205 |
| M | Participants in continuing professional education | $ 185 |
| O | Individuals with extraordinary abilities | $ 205 |
| P | Athletes, artists, and entertainers | $ 205 |
| Q | Participants in an international cultural exchange | $ 205 |
| R | Working members of religious groups | $ 205 |
| T | Victims of human trafficking | $ 185 |
| U | Victims of crime | $ 185 |
| TN/TD | NAFTA professionals | $ 185 |
| Green Card | Relative immigration application (I-130) | $ 535 |
| Green Card | Orphan immigration application (I-600, I-800) | $ 775 |
| Green Card | Family-based immigration applications (I-130, I-600, or I-800) | $ 325 |
| Green Card | Employment-based immigration applications (I-140 or I-526) | $ 700 - $ 3,675 |
| Green Card | Immigration applications for Green Card Lottery winners (DV or Diversity Visa) | $ 330 |