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Visa/Immunization Information


Important Travel Updates

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) prior to check in for travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. Children and infants must have their own ESTA.

VWP travelers may apply for an ESTA online through the following U.S. government Web site https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov*. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States and a third party, such as a travel agent, will be permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveler. VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States, and no later than 72 hours before departure.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is currently accessible via Internet for citizens and eligible nationals of VWP countries to apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP. Please visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov* for more information or to apply for an ESTA.

Argentina Entry Fees For Business And Leisure Travel
Argentina authorities collect an entry fee for all arriving U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens. The fee can be paid in dollars, by credit card, or with traveler's checks. Details are available on the State Department Web site under Argentina Airport Entry Fee*. Note: This fee is not associated with a visa.

Planning on leaving the country? In addition to a passport, some countries require a visa. A visa is an entry by the authorities of a country in a passport or other travel document to show that the bearer may travel to that country. In some cases a visa may be issued as a separate document. Visit these sites to help you prepare for your trip.

Visa/Immunizations*
Please contact the nearest Consulate of the country to which you are traveling for additional information and the latest updates.

Note the following:
  • U.S. citizens require a valid visa for travel to Brazil, Bolivia, China, India and Russia.
  • Many countries require proof of return/onward travel (such as the itinerary/receipt offered by American Airlines) and sufficient funds for your stay. Please contact the nearest Consulate of the country to which you are traveling for additional information.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)*
Flags Each passenger who wishes to enter the U.S. under the VWP must have a machine-readable passport (MRP). Children, including babies, must also have their own machine-readable passport when traveling under the VWP. Nationals of VWP countries remain subject to US-VISIT even when holding a machine-readable passport. When the passport does not hold a machine-readable zone, nationals of the VWP countries require a valid U.S. visa (all visa holders are subject to US-VISIT).

Countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program will be required to issue passports which contain digital photographs. However, anyone issued a machine-readable passport prior to October 26, 2005, will be "grandfathered in" and allowed to visit the U.S. until the passport expires.


All passports issued October 26, 2006, or later must be an e-Passport for VWP travelers to be eligible to enter the United States without a visa. An e-Passport has an integrated computer chip that holds the same information printed on the passport's data page: the holder's name, date of birth and other biographic information.

Temporary, emergency, official and diplomatic passports are exempted from digital photo and electronic chip requirements, but must be machine-readable. This rule applies to all VWP countries except for Germany. Temporary or emergency German passports are not valid for VWP travel, and must contain a visa for admission to the United States.

US-VISIT Program*
All visitors to the U.S., except nationals of Canada, must register under the US-VISIT (Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology) program. This means they will be photographed and electronically finger scanned upon arrival.

More information on this program can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit*

Learn about passport requirements on our Passport Information page.

Plan Ahead For Passports

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