ESTA INFORMATION
USA Travel: A Practical Guide for After You Arrive
An ESTA lets you board the plane, but once you land many other rules apply, from the maximum stay of 90 days to the liquids rule for hand luggage. Here you will find all our guides to staying in the USA, each based on official sources (CBP, TSA, CMS, FCC, OPM).
Arrival and your stay
US border control
CBP questions and secondary inspection
Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry
Free app, for returning ESTA travellers only
US customs
Cash over US$10,000 and food
The 90-day rule
No extensions; trips to Canada or Mexico do not reset the clock
Transiting through the USA
An ESTA is required even for connecting flights
Getting around the USA
Driving in the USA
Foreign licence and IDP, depending on the state
Money, tax and tipping
Sales tax is added at the till; no tourist tax refund
Mobile phones and SIM cards
3G networks have been switched off, so check your phone
Plugs and voltage
120 V, 60 Hz, Type A/B: you will need an adaptor
Federal holidays 2026 and 2027
Official dates from OPM
TSA liquids rule
100 ml and a clear bag (3-1-1)
Health, family and safety
Doctors and hospitals in the USA
EMTALA, costs and insurance
Bringing medicines into the USA
English prescription, original packaging, up to a 90-day supply
Travelling to the USA with children
Their own ESTA, their own e-passport and parental consent
Smoking, alcohol and cannabis
Minimum age 21; do not bring cannabis
Emergency numbers 911 and 988
Emergencies, poisoning and lost passports
FAQ
Does my ESTA cover my whole stay?
An ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, but a single stay under the Visa Waiver Program may last no more than 90 days and cannot be extended.
Where can I find rules that differ from state to state?
Driving, sales tax, and smoking and alcohol rules are governed by the law of each state. Our guides give examples and link to the official state websites.
Sources and currency
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)
- Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov)
- USAGov — Driving in the U.S. (usa.gov)
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays (opm.gov)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — EMTALA (cms.gov)
Last updated: 12 October 2026. This page is for information only and is not an official website of the US Government.