Embassy of the United States

Non-Immigrant Visas

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Traveling visa-free or with a visa.

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Traveling visa-free or with a visa.

Travel on the Visa Waiver Program

Warning: The United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Web site. VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites that charge a fee to provide information about ESTA and to submit ESTA applications on behalf of the VWP traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA will not expedite the granting of approval.

Travelers wishing to register for ESTA directly, at no cost, should visit the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ to apply. The ESTA application website is available in 16 languages and includes a help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to guide them through the application process. Additional information about ESTA is available on the DHS website.

Beginning November 17, 2008, Hungarian citizens intending to visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if all the following requirements apply: 

• The traveler is in possession of a valid Hungarian e-passport with an electronic chip.  The Hungarian e-passport has a reddish cover, while the older non-electronic passport covers are blue. Travelers with either passport (blue or e-passport) and a valid visa may continue to travel as before. 
  
  
• The traveler is holding a return or onward ticket to his or her country of residence. If traveling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to U.S. immigration at the port of entry. 
  
  
• The traveler has a valid authorization from the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website.  Please print your authorization and carry it with you when you travel. 
  
  
• Please check whether you are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program: VWP checklist 
  (388KB pdf | Get Adobe Acrobat Reader)
  

Additonal Information about the Visa Waiver Program

• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Advisory Statement (pdf, 70KB)
  
  
• Video: Electronic System for Travel Authorization - Get It and Go (in English with English captions)
  by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (wmv, 6.3MB)
  
  
• For a list of countries currently enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program, please check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Overview of the Visa Waiver Program. 

Important reminder:

Visa-free travel does not include those who plan to study, work or remain more than 90 days in the United States. Such travelers need visas.  If an immigration official has reason to believe that a VWP traveler is going to study, work or stay longer than 90 days, the officer will refuse to admit the traveler.

If you have question about the Visa Waiver Program or about ESTA, please contact the Non-Immigrant Visa Unit at usconsular.budapest@state.gov.

Last updated: 01/21/2010