ESTA INFORMATION
Transit Through the USA: Do You Need an ESTA to Change Planes?
Yes — even for a pure transit through the USA you need an ESTA (or a visa). This applies even if you are only changing planes at a US airport and your actual destination is in another country. The authorisation must be in place before you depart.
Transit through the USA — ESTA needed, even without a stay
If you fly via the USA to a third country under the Visa Waiver Program, you need a valid ESTA for the transit or a visa. It is not enough to explain at the airport that you are only changing planes:
- Your ESTA approval must be in place before departure — it is checked at boarding
- This applies however short your time at the US airport is
- This is based on CBP's official ESTA FAQ
How to complete the application: “In Transit” + final destination
The ESTA application asks for an address in the USA. CBP gives official instructions for transit-only travellers:
- State in the application that you are in transit
- Enter “In Transit” in the US address field
- Add your final destination (the country or place outside the USA)
Fee and validity for transit travellers
| Fee | US$40.62 per application (from 16 October 2026) — including for transit only |
| Validity | 2 years (or until your passport expires, if sooner) — you can use the same ESTA later for trips with a stay in the USA |
| Timing | The authorisation must be in place before departure |
You will also find basic information on transit on our page Transit through the United States. Note that transit travellers also go through US border control (CBP) on arrival.
Sources and currency
- Official CBP ESTA FAQ (esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq)
- CBP: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (cbp.gov)
- Federal Register 2026-20185 (1 October 2026): ESTA fee from 16 October 2026
Last checked: 13 July 2026. This website is an independent information service and is not the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).