Entry & ESTA
German citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days, but they do need an ESTA authorization (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
Applying for ESTA
- Where: Exclusively on the official website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov — beware of third-party sites charging €50–100!
- Cost: $21 (credit card or PayPal)
- Validity: 2 years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first)
- Processing Time: Usually within minutes to hours, at most 72 hours. Apply at least 3 days before departure!
- Passport: Must be machine-readable and valid at least until the end of the stay (recommended: 6 months beyond)
Upon Entry
- Immigration: Fingerprints and photo are taken. Questions about travel purpose, duration of stay, accommodation — answer friendly and honestly
- Customs Declaration: Food (fruits, meat, dairy products) is prohibited! Even nuts and chocolate can cause issues. When in doubt: declare
- Global Entry: For frequent travelers, the Global Entry program ($100, 5 years) is worthwhile — it bypasses the often long line at immigration
Achtung
Anyone who has ever been in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, or Somalia (even just in transit) is excluded from the ESTA program and requires a regular B1/B2 visa. This also applies to dual citizens of these countries.
