Entry & ESTA
ESTA — Electronic System for Travel Authorization
German, Austrian, and Swiss citizens do not need a classic visa for tourist stays up to 90 days, but an ESTA. The ESTA is an electronic travel authorization that is applied for online:
- Application: On esta.cbp.dhs.gov (official website!). Cost: $21. Apply at least 72 hours before departure, ideally several weeks in advance.
- Validity: 2 years (or until the passport expires). Multiple entries possible.
- Passport: You need a machine-readable passport (ePASS, with chip). The passport must be valid for the entire duration of the trip.
At the Airport (CBP Customs & Border Protection)
Upon entry, you must go through Immigration: fingerprints, photo, short interview (purpose of travel, length of stay, hotel address). Be friendly, brief, and honest. Wait times can be 30–90 minutes. Afterward: pick up luggage and go through customs.
Taxes
In the USA, prices are always WITHOUT VAT indicated. In New York, the Sales Tax of 8.875% is added at the register. An item for $100 actually costs $108.88. In restaurants, a tip (18–20%) is added to the meal — a $50 dinner effectively costs $65+.
Achtung
Apply for ESTA only on the official website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov! There are numerous third-party websites that look identical but charge $50–80 (instead of $21). If you fill out an incorrect ESTA form, you may not get one at all. Also important: If ESTA is denied (rare), you must apply for a regular visa at the US embassy — plan enough lead time!
