ESTA INFORMATION
Transiting through the United States — do I need ESTA?
Yes. You also need ESTA to transit through the United States. US airports have no international transit zone, so every traveller has to formally enter the country, even just to change planes.
Transit rules
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries — including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore — need ESTA to transit through the United States. Every transit is treated as a formal entry into the country and means going through border control.
How transit works in the USA
Border control (immigration)
Even on a short connection, you have to clear immigration and customs, and ESTA is mandatory. This applies, for example, if you change planes in Los Angeles (LAX) on your way to Canada or Mexico.
Collecting and re-checking your bags
After border control, you collect your checked baggage and check it in again for your next flight. ESTA is required because you are formally entering the United States.
Example itineraries with a connection in the USA
- Sydney → Los Angeles (LAX) → Toronto
- Auckland → San Francisco (SFO) → Mexico City
- Dublin → New York (JFK) → Cancún
- Singapore → Los Angeles (LAX) → Vancouver
ESTA is required on every one of these itineraries, because any transit through the USA counts as entering the country.
Exceptions to the ESTA requirement for transit
There are only a few exceptions to the requirement to hold ESTA when transiting:
- Canadian citizens
- Holders of a valid US visa (for example a B1/B2)
- Green card holders (US lawful permanent residents)
Can you avoid needing ESTA for a transit?
If you would rather not apply for ESTA, you can choose routes that do not pass through the United States. For example:
- Direct flights from your home country to your destination
- Connections at airports outside the United States
- Connections in Canada (which for visa-exempt travellers usually requires a Canadian eTA) or Mexico