US ESTA Calculator
Track your 90-day US stay, ESTA validity, and Canada/Mexico side-trip rules. For all 39 VWP countries.
Critical Distinction: ESTA is NOT a 2-Year Visa
Your ESTA authorization lasts 2 years and allows multiple trips to the US. But each stay in the US is limited to 90 days. You cannot live in the US for 2 years on an ESTA. The ESTA is only an authorization to travel — once admitted, your I-94 record controls your stay.
- Valid 2 years from approval
- Or until passport expiry (whichever first)
- Multiple entries during validity
- Cost: $21 total (official CBP site only)
- Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- Maximum: 90 days per visit
- Day 1 = arrival day
- No extensions available
- No annual rolling cap
- Fresh 90 days on each new entry
- 1 day overstay = ESTA cancelled
- Must apply for B-2 visa forever
- 181+ days = 3-year entry ban
- 1 year+ = 10-year entry ban
- No right to contest removal
ESTA Must Be Renewed When:
- • ESTA expires (2 years or passport expiry)
- • You get a new passport (even if ESTA is valid)
- • You change your name
- • You acquire another citizenship
- • Any ESTA eligibility answer changes
ESTA Expiring During a Trip
If your ESTA expires during a trip, your stay continues to be valid through Day 90. The ESTA expiring does NOT terminate your current stay. However, you must obtain a new ESTA before your next trip.
ESTA Disqualifying Factors — Check All That Apply
Rule 1 — 90 Days Per Visit
Maximum stay is 90 days per visit under the VWP. Your I-94 arrival/departure record (now electronic) shows your authorized stay. You must depart on or before the date shown on your I-94.
Rule 2 — Canada/Mexico Side Trips
If you travel to Canada, Mexico, or a nearby island during your US stay, you are re-admitted for the REMAINDER of your original 90 days — NOT a fresh 90 days. Example: Enter Jan 1 (depart by Apr 1). Take 3-day Canada trip Jan 20-23. Return Jan 23. Departure date is still Apr 1, not Jul 1.
Rule 3 — No Extensions
There is NO process to extend a VWP/ESTA stay. The only exception is "Satisfactory Departure" (8 CFR 217.3(a)) for genuine emergencies. This cannot be applied for proactively and is not a routine extension.
Rule 4 — Permitted Activities
Permitted: Tourism, vacation, visiting family/friends, business meetings, conferences, product negotiations, short-term training, transit.
Prohibited: Employment, study at US institutions, journalism for foreign press, crew duties, academic/research work.
Visa Required
Your country does not participate in the Visa Waiver Program. You must apply for a B-1 (Business) or B-2 (Tourism) visa at a US Embassy or Consulate before traveling. Visit travel.state.gov for application information.
Check at cbp.dhs.gov/i94
Past US Trips
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YOUR ESTA IS NOT A 2-YEAR VISA
Your ESTA authorization lasts 2 years and allows multiple trips to the US. But each stay in the US is limited to 90 days. You cannot live in the US for 2 years on an ESTA.
CANADA/MEXICO TRIPS DO NOT RESET YOUR 90 DAYS
If you travel to Canada, Mexico, or a nearby island during your US trip, you are re-admitted for the REMAINING days of your original 90-day permitted period — not a fresh 90 days. Plan accordingly.
ONE OVERSTAY = PERMANENT LOSS OF ESTA
Even a single day of overstay permanently cancels your ESTA eligibility. You will need to apply for a B-2 visa for all future US travel.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL CBP WEBSITE ONLY
Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Many unofficial third-party sites charge excessive fees ($70-$100) to submit the same application. The official fee is $21 total.
PLANNING GUIDANCE ONLY
This calculator is for planning guidance only. Your actual authorized stay is determined by the I-94 record issued by CBP upon admission. Check your I-94 at cbp.dhs.gov/i94.