California welcomes millions of international visitors each year to its world-famous beaches, parks, cities, and cultural attractions. Here’s what you need to know about entering California (and the United States) as a foreign visitor:
Passport and Visa Requirements for Entering the U.S.
To travel to California, you must have the proper documentation for entry into the United States. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the U.S.
Unless you’re a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you also need either a U.S. visa or a visa waiver provided by the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Citizens of Mexico may possess either a visa or a Border Crossing Card, which is valid for up to 10 years. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda need only a valid passport or Trusted Traveler credential like Global Entry or NEXUS.
How the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Works
Visitors from more than 40 countries—including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and all EU member nations—can visit the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days of tourism or business travel, as long as they enroll in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
How to Apply for ESTA
If your home country is on the Visa Waiver list, you simply fill out an online ESTA application, pay $21, then wait to receive an approval (typically within 72 hours).
An ESTA authorization is typically valid for two years and allows multiple visits to the U.S. Keep in mind that a visa waiver doesn’t substitute for a valid passport—it’s in addition to a valid passport. To apply for ESTA, you’ll need:
• A valid passport with an electronic chip
• Your home address, email address, and phone number
Important note: ESTA must be secured before boarding a plane or boat headed to the United States, or at least 72 hours before your U.S. arrival. Each member of your family, including infants and children, must have a passport to participate in the Visa Waiver Program.
A few conditions may affect ESTA eligibility. If you’ve recently visited Cuba, Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Somalia, you may not be eligible for ESTA and must apply for a visa.
What to Do If You’re Not Eligible for Visa Waiver Program
If your country is not listed on the Visa Waiver Program and/or you’re not a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you will need to apply for a visitor visa for entry to the United States. Visitor visas (B-1 or B-2) are official permits that allow foreign nationals to stay in the U.S. for a specific purpose and a specific period of time—typically for vacations, business travel, visiting family or friends, or medical treatment.
If you’re coming to the United States for employment or schooling, you’ll need a different type of visa—not a visitor visa—and the company or institution hosting you should handle the arrangements.
Steps to Apply for a Visitor Visa
1. Complete the DS-160 visa application.
2. Schedule an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.
3. Attend your visa interview and bring the required documentation.
Plan Ahead: Visa interview wait times can be several weeks or months. Most visitor visas are valid for up to 10 years and allow multiple visits, with stays of up to 180 days.
Special Travel Rules for Canadian Citizens
No visa is required for Canadian travelers, but proper identification is needed.
• By air: Valid Canadian passport or a NEXUS card
• By land or sea: Canadian passport, Enhanced Driver’s License, or a Trusted Traveler credential (NEXUS is most common for Canadians)
New Rule for Canadians (Effective April 2025)
Canadians who stay for 30 days or longer must possess a valid Form I-94 (automatically issued to all commercial airline and boat travelers, but not to drivers at border crossings) or register online with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This rule applies to anyone 14 years or older who is staying in the U.S. for 30 days or longer—including long-term visitors such as snowbirds or remote workers.
What to Expect at U.S. Customs and Border Protection
When your plane lands in the U.S., you’ll be sent to the Customs area, where you’ll answer questions posed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Typical questions include: What is the purpose of your visit? How long will you stay? Where are you staying? Do you have any criminal violations? You may also be asked about previous trips to the United States, including where and when you went.
Be honest, clear, patient, and cooperative in your answers. Be prepared with your flight itinerary or hotel reservations. You will also need to fill out a Customs declaration form and declare any agricultural products you’ve brought with you (food, plants, etc.), any merchandise that is not for personal use, or currency amounts greater than $10,000 USD.
For visitors driving into the United States, the process is similar, but you’ll answer the border officer’s questions from behind the wheel of your vehicle. Only in rare cases will visitors need to step into the Customs office.
How To Expedite Your Entry
Consider enrolling in a Trusted Traveler Program like Global Entry or Nexus (both are $120 for a five-year membership), if eligible.
If you don’t qualify for a Trusted Traveler program, download U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s free app, Mobile Passport Control. The app works at most major U.S. airports including San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
By utilizing the app to submit your photo and travel details immediately after your plane lands (or up to four hours before), you’ll have a shorter wait time in Customs, especially if you’re traveling with a family or group.
Final Tips for a Smooth Trip to California
• Double-check that your passport is valid for at least six months after your trip.
• Apply early for visas or ESTA
• Keep digital and printed copies of all your documents
• Download the Mobile Passport app (if eligible)
• Be patient and cooperative during U.S. Customs entry