🇺🇸

United States

North America

The United States is a large, diverse country with major hubs like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and Miami that attract digital workers, start up founders and students. There is no dedicated digital nomad visa. Instead, most visitors use the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA, a B1 or B2 visitor visa, or longer term categories like student and work visas.

5
Visa Types
90
Nationalities visa-free
🪪Your Passport:

Visa requirements vary by nationality

🎫 Available Visa Types

Recommended for Digital Nomads
Tourist

Visa Waiver Program with ESTA

Short stay entry for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries using an approved ESTA for tourism or business for up to 90 days.

90 days
Duration
$21
fee
+$21 additional

Key Benefits

Fast, fully electronic pre authorisation with no consular interview for most travellers.
Ideal for short trips, conferences and scouting visits.
Widely used by digital workers for brief stays in US hubs without committing to a full visa process.
📋 Requirements (4)
  • Passport from a Visa Waiver Program country that meets US requirements.
  • Trip of 90 days or less for tourism, certain types of business visits or transit.
  • Approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a plane or ship to the US.
  • Return or onward ticket and compliance with all US admissibility and security rules.
📝 Application Process
✓ Online ApplicationESTA approvals are often returned within minutes, but you should apply at least several days before travel in case additional review is needed.
  1. 1Confirm that your nationality is part of the Visa Waiver Program on official US government websites.
  2. 2Apply online for ESTA, entering accurate passport and travel information and paying the fee by card.
  3. 3Wait for approval and travel only when ESTA is approved, carrying the same passport used in the application.
  4. 4At the border, answer questions from Customs and Border Protection and receive admission for up to 90 days if approved.
Apply Online

💡 Pro Tips

  • Apply for ESTA well in advance of booking non refundable flights.
  • If you expect to spend a lot of time in the US or need flexibility, a B1/B2 visa may be safer than relying only on ESTA.

B1/B2 visitor visa (tourism and business)

TouristPopular

Standard visitor visa for tourism, family visits and many types of short business travel when you do not qualify for or prefer not to use the Visa Waiver Program.

180d
Duration
$185
fee
📍Apply: Embassy
Interview wait times vary widely by embassy and season. Many posts publish expected wait times online. After the interview, most straightforward cases are decided within days, but security checks or administrative processing can take longer.
🔄Extendable +180d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
B1/B2 visa application fee (MRV)The standard non petition visitor visa fee is currently around USD 185. Always check the latest fee schedule.
$185
Additional (estimated)
Visa issuance or reciprocity feesSome nationalities pay an additional issuance fee based on reciprocity tables.
$0
Required Total
$185
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • Passport valid for travel to the United States and meeting any validity requirements.
  • Completed DS 160 online nonimmigrant visa application form and confirmation page.
  • Payment of the visa application fee and scheduling of a consular interview.
  • Evidence of ties to your home country and intent to return after a temporary stay.
  • Proof of funds for the trip and, where relevant, documentation of your business purpose.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Complete the DS 160 form online and print the confirmation page.
  2. 2Pay the B1/B2 visa application fee following the instructions for your country.
  3. 3Schedule and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate, bringing your passport and supporting documents.
  4. 4If approved, receive a visa in your passport that allows you to ask for admission at a US port of entry, where a CBP officer decides your authorised stay.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • Does not authorise employment in the US labour market or long term residence.
  • Approval rates and interview experiences vary significantly by country and personal profile.
  • Misusing a B visa for de facto residence or work can cause long term immigration problems.

💡 Tips

  • Prepare carefully for the consular interview with a clear, honest explanation of your travel plans and ties to your home country.
  • Avoid patterns that look like you are living in the US on a visitor visa, such as spending most of the year there without another status.

F1 student visa (academic studies)

EducationPopular

Non immigrant visa for full time academic students at SEVP certified schools, colleges and universities in the United States.

365d
Duration
$535
fee
📍Apply: Embassy
Processing time depends on embassy interview availability and any security checks. Many students receive decisions within days after the interview, but high demand or additional screening can add weeks.
🔄Extendable +365d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
F1 visa application fee (MRV)Standard non immigrant visa application fee for most F1 applicants, subject to change.
$185
SEVIS I-901 feeMost new F1 students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for the visa.
$350
Additional (estimated)
School application and enrolment feesUniversities and colleges may charge their own admission and enrolment fees, separate from visa fees.
$0
Required Total
$535
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • Form I-20 issued by a SEVP certified school confirming admission and program details.
  • Valid passport, DS 160 confirmation and proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee.
  • Evidence of sufficient funds to pay for tuition, fees and living costs.
  • Proof of academic preparation and intention to return home after studies unless you later change status lawfully.
  • Compliance with all SEVIS and school reporting requirements.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Apply to and gain admission from a SEVP certified US school and receive your Form I-20.
  2. 2Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and keep the receipt.
  3. 3Complete the DS 160, pay the visa application fee and book an F1 visa interview at the appropriate US embassy or consulate.
  4. 4Attend the interview with your I-20 and financial and academic documents. If approved, receive an F1 visa and then travel to the US to report to your school and maintain full time enrolment.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • You must remain a full time student and follow SEVIS reporting rules; dropping below the required course load can cause status problems.
  • Work options are limited and heavily regulated, and unauthorised work is a serious violation.
  • Security and background checks can be stricter for some fields of study or nationalities.

💡 Tips

  • Work closely with your designated school official (DSO) for all status questions and avoid making immigration decisions on your own.
  • Keep copies of all I-20s, SEVIS receipts and transcripts for future applications or changes of status.

Temporary work visas (H-1B and similar)

WorkPopular

Employer sponsored non immigrant work visas such as H-1B, L-1, O-1 and others, allowing temporary employment in the United States.

1095d
Duration
$205
fee
📍Apply: Embassy
Overall processing time includes both USCIS petition adjudication and consular interview wait times. This can range from a few weeks with premium processing in simple cases to many months in high demand categories.
🔄Extendable +365d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
Work visa application fee (MRV)Most petition based work visas currently pay a higher MRV fee than standard visitors. Additional USCIS and fraud prevention fees are often paid by the employer.
$205
Additional (estimated)
USCIS petition and premium processing feesEmployers normally pay several separate USCIS filing fees which can be substantial, especially if using premium processing.
$0
Required Total
$205
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • A US employer willing and eligible to sponsor you for a specific non immigrant work category such as H-1B, L-1 or O-1.
  • Approved petition from USCIS, where required, before you apply for the visa at a consulate.
  • Relevant qualifications, work experience and sometimes labour condition approvals depending on the visa type.
  • Intention to work only in the authorised role and leave or change status lawfully when your authorised stay ends.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Work with your prospective employer to identify the correct non immigrant work category and file any required petitions with USCIS.
  2. 2Wait for petition approval where required, then complete the DS 160 and pay the appropriate work visa fee.
  3. 3Schedule and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate with your petition approval notice and supporting documents.
  4. 4If approved, enter the US and begin work only in the authorised position and within the authorised dates and locations.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • Highly regulated and often numerically limited, particularly categories like H-1B.
  • Heavily dependent on employer sponsorship and continued employment in a specific role.
  • Losing your job or violating conditions can quickly put you out of status.

💡 Tips

  • Only pursue these routes with serious employers and, ideally, professional legal guidance.
  • Keep meticulous records of all petitions, approval notices and pay stubs in case they are needed for extensions or status changes.

E-2 treaty investor visa

WorkPopular

Non immigrant visa for nationals of certain treaty countries who invest a substantial amount of capital in a US business and direct or develop it.

730d
Duration
$315
fee
📍Apply: Embassy
Processing times vary by embassy and by the complexity of the business and investment. Many cases take several weeks to a few months from submission to decision.
🔄Extendable +nulld
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
E class visa application fee (MRV)E-2 visa applicants currently pay a higher MRV fee than standard visitors. Some consulates may have additional local fees.
$315
Additional (estimated)
Legal and corporate structuring costsMost serious E-2 applicants use professional corporate and immigration advice, which can add significantly to total cost.
$0
Required Total
$315
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • Citizenship of a country that has a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States.
  • Ownership of at least 50 percent of a real, operating US business or a controlling role in directing and developing it.
  • Substantial investment of personal or corporate funds that are at risk and lawfully sourced.
  • Intent to depart the US when E-2 status ends, even if you might later seek other lawful options.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Confirm that your nationality is eligible for the E-2 category and design a business plan that meets US requirements.
  2. 2Invest or commit substantial capital into a genuine US enterprise and document the lawful source of funds.
  3. 3Prepare a detailed E-2 visa application package according to the instructions of the consulate where you will apply.
  4. 4Submit the application, attend the interview and, if approved, travel to the US to direct and develop the business in line with your business plan.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • Available only to nationals of treaty countries; not all nationalities qualify.
  • Requires real financial risk and a substantial investment; purely speculative or marginal businesses are not acceptable.
  • Does not directly lead to a green card, so long term planning is essential.

💡 Tips

  • Design your business plan realistically, with job creation and growth that make sense in the US market.
  • Keep accurate corporate, tax and payroll records to support future renewals and inspections.

📊 Quick Facts

CapitalWashington, D.C.
CurrencyUSD (United States dollar)
LanguageEnglish
TimezoneUTC-5 to UTC-10 (multiple time zones)
Last UpdatedNov 30, 2025

🔗 Official Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the United States have a digital nomad visa
The United States does not currently have a dedicated digital nomad visa category. Most remote workers who visit use the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA or a B1/B2 visitor visa for short, clearly temporary stays, or they pursue longer term options such as student or employer sponsored work visas if they need to live in the country for an extended period.
What is the difference between ESTA and a B1/B2 visitor visa
ESTA is an electronic travel authorisation used under the Visa Waiver Program for eligible nationalities who visit for up to 90 days for tourism or business without getting a physical visa. A B1/B2 visitor visa is a traditional non immigrant visa placed in your passport after a consular interview. It often gives more flexibility and can allow longer stays per entry, but requires more preparation and is not guaranteed.
Can I work remotely for a foreign company while visiting the United States
US immigration law focuses on whether you are engaging in unauthorised employment in the United States. Working for a US employer or serving the US labour market while on a visitor status is clearly prohibited. The situation is more complex for remote work for foreign employers while physically in the US, and there is no special digital nomad status. Because of the high stakes, travellers should be conservative, keep trips short and consult a qualified US immigration lawyer if they plan to work while present in the United States.
How long can I stay as a tourist in the United States
If you travel under the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA, you can usually stay up to 90 days per visit. If you have a B1/B2 visitor visa, US Customs and Border Protection often admits visitors for up to six months, but the exact length is always written on your admission record and is entirely at the officer's discretion.
Are border runs a safe way to stay long term in the United States
No. Trying to live in the United States by chaining together back to back short stays under ESTA or a visitor visa is risky. Border officers can question frequent travellers, shorten admissions or deny entry if they believe someone is effectively residing in the US without the proper status. For longer term plans, an appropriate study, work or other residence visa is safer.
Do I need health insurance to visit the United States
Health insurance is not always checked for short term visitors, but medical care in the United States is extremely expensive. Many travellers and digital nomads choose high coverage international insurance that explicitly includes the US. Students and many exchange visitors are subject to specific insurance requirements through their programs.
Is it easy to open a bank account in the United States as a foreigner
For people with long term visas, a Social Security Number and proof of address, opening bank accounts is usually straightforward. For short term visitors without a US tax number or address, access to banking is much more limited and many rely on global fintech and multi currency accounts instead of full US domestic accounts.
Where can I find official and up to date information about US visas
The primary sources are the US Department of State's travel.state.gov visa pages for consular information, USCIS for immigration benefits inside the United States, official embassy and consulate websites for country specific procedures, and CBP resources for admission and ESTA. Because US immigration policy and fees change regularly, always confirm details on these official sites shortly before applying or travelling.
⚠️

Important Disclaimer

Visa requirements can change frequently. This information is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or immigration authorities before making travel plans. Last updated: November 30, 2025