ESTA for New York: Visa Requirements & Application

NYC Visa: Travelling to New York with an ESTA

In this article

A New York ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is required if you are traveling to New York for tourism, business, or medical purposes. You do not need a New York visa if you are visiting for less than 90 days. You should apply for your ESTA at least 3 days before you are departing for New York.
New York City is the most famous city in the world. It has various nicknames including the City that Never Sleeps and The Big Apple. It has a wealth of amazing tourist attractions within a short distance of each other and is one of the most popular tourist destinations for visitors from countries across the world.

Top Tourist Attractions in New York

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Statue of Liberty

Seeing this iconic statue is a must for any trip to New York. You can enjoy the magnificence close up through a tour or simply take a look when you take a boat over to Staten Island.
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Central Park

There is plenty to do around Central Park and to see everything you might want to hire a bike or jump in a horse and carriage. There is a zoo, boating lake, picnic areas and loads of different attractions.
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Times Square and Broadway

In the heart of the city lies the bright lights of Times Square and Broadway. This is where all of the world’s best shows will be on so make sure to book your tickets early.
There is so much to see and do in New York that you will need to cram as much into your trip as possible. Popular sightseeing attractions include the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square and Brooklyn Bridge.
For those who like to include cultural activities in your trip, a visit to Broadway for a show is a must. There are also some amazing museums such as the Museum of Modern Art, the 9/11 Memorial and the American Museum of Natural History.
There are so many different ways to see the best bits of the city – you can take bus tours, go on boat trips, or even take helicopter rides. You can hire bikes to see Central Park or get a horse and carriage!

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA)

In order to be able to enjoy all of the amazing attractions in New York, you must obtain some form of visa, as you need travel authorization as part of the visa requirements to enter the United States. Sending a New York visa application is quick and easy if you are eligible for an ESTA. It takes just ten minutes to complete your ESTA for New York, fill in your personal details and passport details and answer a set of eligibility questions.
What Is ESTA?
ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, is an online system that is used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States.
Do I Need a Visa for New York?
Traveling to New York requires certain travel documents. Any international visitor to this city needs some kind of admission permission. They can apply for an ESTA or a visa depending on the purpose of their travel. ESTA is simpler to obtain and travelers can use it to stay for up to 90 days in one go, if the purpose of their travel is tourism, business, or for medical reasons.
How Do I Get a Visa for New York?
First, you must make an online application for a visa. After that, you need to schedule a visa appointment at the American embassy or consulate. Keep in mind that visa approval processes can take some time.
On the other hand, if you apply for an ESTA, the entire application process is carried out online, without the need to go to an appointment at the embassy.

Who Is Eligible for Visa to New York?

If you come from one of the 40 countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program then you can apply for an ESTA for your trip to New York. Other requirements include the purposes for your trip: it must be for business or tourism, as studying or working in the US would only be possible through the relevant visa.
Also, if you are intending on staying in New York, or anywhere else in the US for longer than 90 days then the ESTA will not be sufficient, as it would exceed the 90-day limit. In this case, you would need to apply for a Category B1 (business purposes) or Category B2 (tourism) visa instead.
ESTA Requirements: Who Can Apply for NYC ESTA?
  • Citizens or eligible nationals of the Visa Waiver Program country.
  • Travellers who currently don’t posses a visitor’s visa.
  • Travellers who plan to travel to the United States for business or tourism.
  • Travellers who plan on staying in the US for 90 days or less.

Types of visa for New York

For visits to the US for less than 90 days, the ESTA application is the easiest and quickest way to get travel authorization. This can be completed and confirmed in just a few hours, but sometimes the processing time does take a few days. You should check whether you are eligible for an ESTA visa before you apply for a B1 or B2 visa as this could save you a lot of time and the effort of travelling to and attending an interview at the US embassy.
B1 Business visa – This is for going to the US for business meetings, conferences, not to gain employment whilst in the US for a US company.
B2 Tourism visa – If your trip is just for leisure purposes i.e. a holiday and to do tourist activities then a B2 tourist visa is needed.
F1 - Student Visa - International students studying language training programs or academic studies in the United States are eligible for the F-1 student visa. This visa category encompasses students attending public secondary school through to university studies.
Work visas - There are different types of work visas Graduate-level employees can apply for an H1-B visa for specialty jobs. Foreign people can get the H-2A visa particularly to engage in seasonal jobs in agriculture or H-2B visa for other seasonal jobs.

Applying for a visa to New York

The first step is to complete an online visa application (DS-160 form). Once this has been submitted you will need to schedule an interview at the embassy or consulate. You may have to wait a while for an appointment, depending on how busy they are at that time.
Following the interview and the presentation of your requested documents, you will receive confirmation of whether your visa has been approved and if so, your visa will be sent to you to use when you visit New York and the rest of the US.
ESTA Application Process: Apply for an ESTA in 3 Easy Steps
Applying for an ESTA is simple and straightforward:
1. Fill in the online ESTA form: provide personal and travel Information;
2. Check and confirm your details;
3. Choose your payment method and pay.
Note that the ESTA authorisation must be obtained at least 72 hours before the trip. However, we recommend you apply for your ESTA as soon as possible. In case the application is denied, you would need to apply for a non-immigrant visa, which might require some time to obtain.
Each traveller, regardless of their age, needs a separate ESTA.
What Do You Need to Apply for an ESTA for New York?
  • Valid passport from a Visa Waiver Program country.
  • Valid email address.
  • Home address and phone number.
  • Emergency point of contact phone and email.
NYC ESTA Renewal
ESTA authorisation is valid for two years in most cases. After that period, travellers are reuired to obtain a new ESTA if they plan to visit New York, or any other part of the US. Also, you have to renew your ESTA approval in the following cases:
  • If you have received a new passport (including an emergency or temporary passport)
  • If you have changed your name
  • If you have changed your gender
  • If you have changed your country or citizenship
  • If any of your responses to the “yes” or “no” questions on the ESTA application have to be changed
Do I Need an ESTA for New York?
A foreign citizen visiting New York can decide to apply for an ESTA. In fact, obtaining an ESTA is faster than getting a transit or visitor visa for New York. The ESTA authorisation is valid for two years and covers stays of up to 90 days in the United States.
How Long Does It Take to Get an ESTA for New York?
ESTA processing time is very short - in most cases, the applicant can get approval in a few hours. In rare situations, it may take 72 hours if the authorities conduct an additional review of the application.
How Much in Advance Should I Get an ESTA?
The best recommendation is to apply for ESTA as soon as you book your flight and book your accommodation. Although your application may be handled immediately, official ESTA counsel advises that you apply at least 72 hours before your trip to the US.
How Will I Know Whether I Have Been Approved an ESTA?
The applicant will receive a response to the ESTA application via email, which might include:
  • 1. Approved authorisation. Even if it isn't necessary, we advise that you store the authorisation (together with the application number) on your phone.
  • 2. Authorisation pending. In this case, you'll get a reply within 72 hours.
  • 3. Denied authorisation. Although the majority of applications are approved, in rare cases the ESTA is denied. If this happens to you, you can re-apply for ESTA, or you will need to submit a visa application at the closest embassy or consulate if you’re deemed ineligible to travel visa-free under the visa waiver program (VWP).
Stoping-Over in the United States: Is a Visa Required?
There are two options in the case of stopping over:
  • 1. For a quick stopover in New York, the passenger can submit an application for a C transit visa
  • 2. The second option is that a traveler may submit an ESTA application. They can make a stopover in the US without a visa if they have ESTA transit permission.
Can I Make Changes to My ESTA Application if I Made a Mistake?
You can change only two pieces of information in your application: the place where you will be residing in the United States and the email address. To modify the remainder of the information (passport number, name, dates, etc. ), you must apply for a new ESTA and pay for it again.
Airports
There are three main airports in the New York area – John F Kennedy, La Guardia and Newark. La Guardia is close to Manhattan so is close to all of the main attractions but this is a small airport for local flights only. Newark is further out from the city but has good train links. If you are getting a taxi from Newark into the city then you can expect it to take around an hour. JFK is the airport that most travelers use to arrive in New York as it is the biggest and has the most flight options. The traffic can be very congested so always leave plenty of time for getting to JFK to avoid missing your flight.
Work Opportunities
Many people move to the US to follow their dreams, not just actors and singers but also people who love the idea of working in the stunning city. If you are thinking of moving to the US then you will need to be aware of the different types of visa that are available.
For example, if you wanted to visit for a period of less than 90 days then you can apply for an ESTA if you are arriving from one of the countries listed under the Visa Waiver Program will need to be aware of the different types of visa that are available.
This is an easy way to complete an online form that will give you a decision quickly regarding whether you are granted permission to travel to the US.
The ESTA covers travel for both business and tourist purposes, so if you wanted to see how you like New York for a few months before you make the full decision to move over, you can get permission to stay in the US for up to 90 days.
Transport To Get Around New York
When you are visiting New York there are many different ways to get around the city and you may want to consider using a mix of strong different transport options] to allow you to visit all of the places on your itinerary.
The subway
The subway is a very famous and popular form of transport across NYC and there are sub stations on almost every corner! So, if you are spending the afternoon in Central Park and then want to head to Brooklyn Bridge, you can just jump on the subway. Buying a MetroCard is going to work out cheapest if you are planning on using the subway a lot during your visit. You can get a 7-day MetroCard for $29 or a single ride is $2.50.
It is important to remember that this type of transport is going to be very busy, especially around peak times on the lines that go to the busier parts of the city. Local users of the subway will often be rushing about to get to and from work, so make sure that you look out for the escalator etiquette of standing to the right side of escalators to enable those rushing people to walk up the left-hand side. If you stand still on the left-hand side, then you are likely to get asked to move by disgruntled subway users.
New York Pass
It is worth looking into getting a New York Pass because as well as providing entry to the majority of NYC’s top attractions, there are also transport options included. The Hop On, Hop Off bus is ideal for getting from one attraction to the next and has a tour guide on board to provide information about the areas you travel through. There is also the Hop On, Hop Off water taxi and you can get on the Statue of Liberty ferry too. If you were already planning on going to the attractions such as the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and 9/11 Memorial and Museum then your pass will include the entry for those and a long list of other great attractions and transport options.
Taxicabs
You will probably have seen the famous yellow-colored New York taxi cabs in films and when you get to NYC you won’t be disappointed because there really are plenty of them on the streets for you to hail over when you need them. Busy places like near the airports, stations and tourist attractions will have lots of taxis waiting for passengers.
Walking
If you really want to see as much of New York City as possible, nothing beats walking around the city so that you can walk through all of the different areas. Whilst the subway is convenient for getting to places quickly, as it is underground you won’t see any of the places that you pass by.
The High Line is a public park that has been built on an old rail line and is a great way to walk through the West Side of Manhattan. As it is elevated just above the streets, you get a different perspective to just walking along the streets. For those who like art and nature, you should definitely pay the High Line a visit.
Cycling
Whilst cycling along the main streets of New York can be a bit too busy for tourists, there are plenty of routes that are ideal for cycling. There are a number of bicycle hire shops where you can hire a bike by the hour or for a day or more. There is a cycle route through Central Park that is a fun way to see the park, also the routes along the Hudson River make for a great cycling tour. Hudson River Greenway offers a more picturesque trail that takes you further out of the city for stunning views.
Sport Venues
Sports fans have plenty of stadiums to choose from to take in strong some American sports, as New York is home to some of the most iconic sports stadia in the world. The Yankee Stadium is a must for any keen baseball fans, whilst the tennis fans can’t miss the opportunity to visit Flushing Meadows.
Madison Square Garden is a regular host of major sporting events as well as music concerts and other massive events. New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden, so if you want to take in a basketball game then this is your best option during the basketball season. You can also catch some ice hockey at this famous venue, as it is home to the New York Rangers.

Written by Abisola Fikayomi

Abisola is an accomplished writer interested in US Travel, immigration, passports and visas. She’s passionate about exploring new places and cultures and willing to share her experiences, expertize and findings with others. That is her primary drive for specialising in this industry.

FAQs

Approved ESTA is valid for 2 years unless your passport expires in the meantime. In that case, it is valid until the passport is also valid.
Travelers must apply for and acquire an ESTA even if they are transiting through the United States to another country without a visa. In any of the following situations, you must apply for an ESTA: stopover, transit, or transfer
If you have an ESTA or other authorisation to go to the United States, it does not guarantee that you will be admitted. The airport immigration checkpoint security officer will have the final say.
In such circumstances, depending on the reason for the refusal, you can either re-apply for ESTA (for example, if there was a data entry error when filling out the form) or you will need to apply for a Non-immigrant Visa. This often involves scheduling a meeting at a US embassy and going there in person; you should schedule well in advance because this takes a lot of time.
Since you apply for ESTA authorisation electronically, it is not required to print the document and show it upon arrival in New York. However, it won’t hurt to provide a physical copy of the email you got confirming your application's approval, even if it is not necessary.

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