In a nutshell
- Entering the USA might look complicated at first — but with the right prep, it’s actually pretty straightforward.
- We walk you through everything you actually need: from ESTA and travel insurance to the MPC app and customs rules.
- We also explain what the entry process at the airport looks like and which questions to expect at the border — so there are no surprises.
- Plus: what to keep in mind when traveling with children, pets, or prescription medication.
What You Should Know Before You Start Worrying
We want to start by putting your mind at ease about any worries you might have. Millions of tourists travel to the USA every year — and you’ll do just fine!
There are occasional negative reports about entering the US, but don’t worry — most people who run into problems simply don’t meet all the requirements (such as having a criminal record or missing documents).
As long as you’re well prepared, everything will go smoothly.
With the right information and good planning, you can enter the USA without any stress — whether you’re heading to New York, San Francisco, or anywhere else on your list.
We’ll walk you through exactly what to watch out for so everything goes without a hitch.
Passport & Other Documents for Entering the USA
To enter the USA, you need a valid passport that covers the entire duration of your stay.
Important: Your passport must be machine-readable!
This means it must contain a chip that stores your personal data electronically. The electronic passport (ePassport) is the standard today. If you have an older passport without this chip, you’ll need to apply for a new one before you travel.
You can recognize an ePassport by the small symbol at the bottom of the cover — a rectangle with a circle inside it, a bit like a tiny camera.
Temporary Passport: Not Accepted for ESTA
A temporary passport is not accepted for visa-free entry with ESTA. So if you only have a temporary passport, you can’t enter the US without a visa. In that case, you’ll need to either apply for a regular visa or get a full passport first.
Other Documents for Entering the USA
In addition to a valid ePassport, you’ll also need the following to meet US entry requirements:
- ESTA: Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Required for visa-free travel to the USA.
- Return ticket or onward travel plans: often required to prove you intend to leave the country.
- Travel insurance: not always checked at the border, but strongly recommended
- Proof of vaccination: no longer required, but always check the latest requirements online before you fly
- Proof of sufficient financial means: credit card and cash. Rarely required, but good to have.
We’ll explain each of these in more detail below.
ESTA or Visa: Choosing the Right Entry Method
Before you travel to the USA, you need to decide whether you’ll enter with an ESTA or a visa. The difference mainly comes down to the length and purpose of your trip.
ESTA: Visa-Free Entry for Tourists
With an ESTA, you can enter the USA as a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country (which includes Germany and Austria, plus most other European nations) for up to 90 days.
Important: ESTA is only valid for tourism or business purposes and requires a valid ePassport.
You must submit your application online through U.S. Customs and Border Protection — and really, ONLY through that official site. There are shady third-party websites out there that charge extra fees for the same thing. Avoid all of them.
Your ESTA is then valid for two years or until your passport expires. People with a criminal record may be denied authorization. If your ESTA is denied, a visa is required.
ESTA at a glance:
- Suitable for: Tourists & business travelers (max. 90 days)
- Cost: $41 USD (starting September 30, 2025)
- Payment: Online by credit card, debit card, or PayPal
- Processing time: A few minutes (apply at least 72 hours before departure)
- Validity: Two years or until passport expiration
By the way: An ESTA is also required for connecting flights through the USA.
Visa: For Longer & Special Stays
A full visa is required if you want to stay in the US for more than 90 days or if you’re entering for specific reasons like work or study.
There are different visa categories depending on the purpose of your trip, and the costs are significantly higher than for an ESTA.
The visa application process is more involved and requires an interview at a US embassy or consulate. You submit the application on the official website of the US Department of State.
There you’ll fill out the DS-160 form. Processing can take several weeks, so submit your application well in advance.
After completing the DS-160 form, you pay the visa fee and schedule an appointment online for the visa interview at the US Embassy or US Consulate nearest to you.
During the interview, you’ll be asked for further details about your trip. Bring a valid passport, your DS-160 confirmation, proof of payment, vaccination records, and your travel itinerary.
The consular officer will then decide whether to approve or deny your visa application.
Visa at a glance:
- Suitable for: People staying more than 90 days (work, study, etc.)
- Cost: from $185 USD
- Payment: Online by credit card, debit card, or PayPal
- Processing time: Several weeks + interview at the US Consulate
- Validity: Varies depending on visa type
Bottom line: ESTA or visa?
If you’re only traveling to the USA short-term as a tourist or business traveler (and without a criminal record), an ESTA is all you need. For longer stays, special purposes, or if you have a known criminal record, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
Getting Travel Health Insurance for the USA
In the USA, standard health insurance from your home country typically doesn’t apply — and even a minor treatment can quickly cost several thousand dollars.
That’s why we strongly recommend getting private international health insurance before you go. It’s often surprisingly affordable.
Also read our comparison of the best international travel health insurance plans
And even if it’s not always checked at the border, US border officers can ask for financial proof of coverage for medical care. Anyone who can’t show proof of coverage risks running into problems at entry in extreme cases.
Or open our tips for international travel health insurance at the same time
Entering the USA: Vaccinations & Medications
For tourist trips to the USA, there are currently no mandatory vaccinations. The COVID-19 vaccination requirement was also dropped in May 2023 and hasn’t been reinstated since.
That said, standard vaccinations are still recommended, such as:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Measles if applicable (if vaccination status is unclear)
If you’re staying in the US for an extended period or planning special activities — like a road trip along the West Coast — it’s worth getting personalized medical advice before you go.
Our tip: Before your trip, check the current recommendations with your doctor or your country’s official travel advisory service — especially if you’re traveling with children or have chronic health conditions.
Bringing Medications into the USA
Entering the USA with medications is generally permitted. However, the US has strict regulations — especially for prescription medications or substances that may be considered controlled.
Here’s what applies to common medications:
- Ibuprofen & other over-the-counter pain relievers: no problem — small quantities for personal use may be brought in.
- Antidepressants & sedatives (e.g., diazepam): only with a doctor’s note in English and in the original packaging. Some active ingredients (e.g., benzodiazepines) are classified as controlled substances.
- Birth control pills: permitted without restrictions. Best to carry them in the original packaging anyway.
- Asthma inhalers/sprays: permitted — also ideally in original packaging, and ideally with a brief doctor’s note in English.
- Antibiotics: only with a doctor’s prescription or note, even for short trips.
Our tip: Only bring what you actually need, and carry medications in your carry-on luggage — in case your checked bag gets lost. If you’re unsure, check the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website or contact your airline.
Entering the USA While Pregnant: What to Know
Entering the USA while pregnant is generally straightforward and unproblematic.
What’s important is that you have good international health insurance that covers complications and births abroad. A brief medical note about your health status can also be a smart idea.
Good to know: Rumors that pregnant women are generally denied entry are not true. As long as you’re transparent and US border officers don’t have reason to think you plan to shift medical costs onto the US government, you have nothing to worry about.
That said, we personally wouldn’t recommend making the trip in the very late stages of pregnancy.
US Customs: What Can You Bring into the USA?
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is very strict at entry — and there are clear rules about what you can and cannot bring in.
What you’re allowed to bring (for personal use):
- Clothing, camera, laptop, phone, chargers
- Toiletries and cosmetics in normal quantities
- Medications with a doctor’s note (see above)
- Gifts worth up to $100 USD
- Cash up to $10,000 USD
Allowed with restrictions:
- Food: no fresh produce, only packaged snacks or candy in small quantities
- Alcohol: max. 1 liter for persons aged 21 and older
- Tobacco: up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars
Prohibited or strictly regulated:
- Fresh food & plants
- Products made from animal skin, ivory, or coral
- Weapons & ammunition (avoid even toy guns)
- Drugs & other controlled substances
On entry, you must submit a customs declaration — either the traditional paper version handed out on the plane or digitally through the MPC app. Always be honest. False statements can result in fines or denial of entry.
Digital Prep: MPC App, Phone & Laptop
Before entering the USA, it’s worth doing a quick digital check — for two reasons.
First, the MPC app may save you real time at the airport. Second, you’ll want to make sure your phone and laptop are set up so they don’t cause any unnecessary trouble during a potential inspection.
MPC App for US Entry
The free Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app from the US border authority lets you submit your entry information and customs declaration digitally in advance. This can significantly speed up processing at the airport.
Our tip: Download the app before you fly. You can fill out the form at home or on the plane — it’s quick and easy.
MPC App for Android / MPC App for iOS
You don’t need to upload your ESTA or visa in the app. It’s an additional convenience — not a replacement for your other entry documents.
After submitting, you’ll receive a QR code on your phone, which you show at a dedicated MPC counter or at passport control at the arrival airport. The line is often noticeably faster than the standard queue.
Important: Not all airports support MPC. We landed at JFK, for example — and the app worked perfectly there, even on our first entry. Check on the official CBP website in advance whether your arrival airport supports it.
Keep Your Phone & Laptop Clean
While it’s rare, US border officers are allowed to inspect your digital devices — even without suspicion. A quick cleanup beforehand keeps you on the safe side.
What you can do:
- Delete politically sensitive content: this includes memes, satire, or critical posts about politics, religion, or society — especially anything related to the USA.
- Protect private data: store intimate photos, medical records, or personal notes in the cloud or on an external hard drive.
- Save offline documents: your ESTA, flight ticket, and hotel booking should be accessible immediately without an internet connection. Alternatively, a USA eSIM lets you get online right after landing.
- Keep your tech handy: phone, laptop, tablet, chargers, power bank, travel adapter — all in your carry-on.
Social Media Data Requests Starting in 2026
Starting in 2026, all travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries entering the USA via ESTA will reportedly be required to provide their social media profiles from the past five years. This proposal was officially published in the Federal Register and is currently under review.
The rule is expected to take effect in spring 2026, around February or March.
The social media data requirement is part of a security screening process by US authorities. Profiles will be reviewed to identify potential risks or violations of entry regulations, with authorities assessing on a case-by-case basis which content is relevant.
In practical terms: anyone who doesn’t provide their profiles or submits false information risks being denied entry. For everyone else, the review will simply become a routine part of the ESTA process.
Entry Questions for the USA
Knowing what to expect at the border is an important part of preparing for your US entry. Here are the questions US border officers most commonly ask.
Common Questions at the US Border
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- How long are you staying in the United States?
- Where will you be staying?
- Do you have a return ticket?
- Is this your first time in the United States?
- Who are you traveling with?
- What is your occupation?
- How much cash are you carrying?
- Do you have a hotel reservation?
- Which places do you plan to visit?
- Do you have any relatives or friends in the U.S.?
- Can you provide your address in the U.S.?
- Have you ever violated U.S. immigration laws?
- Have you ever applied for a visa and been denied?
- Do you plan to work in the U.S.?
- Are you carrying any prohibited items?
Important Tips for the Interview
- Practice by honestly answering the questions for yourself ahead of time
- Keep your answers short and honest on the spot
- Always be polite and respectful
- No small talk and no jokes — not even in jest
- If needed, you’re allowed to say: “Sorry, I don’t understand.” Many officers are patient and will help you out
- If you don’t speak English, an interpreter may be provided
Entry Process at the US Airport
After landing in the USA, the most important part of your trip awaits: the entry inspection. But with the right preparation, it’s really not that daunting. Stay calm, be friendly, and have your documents ready.
How to Handle Yourself at the Border
- Have all your documents ready to go
- Answer questions in a friendly, calm, and respectful manner
- No jokes or unnecessary comments
- Put your phone & headphones away beforehand
- No photos or videos in the entry inspection area
Documents for Your Carry-On
- Passport (valid for the entire stay, machine-readable)
- ESTA confirmation (digital is fine, but a printout doesn’t hurt)
- Return or onward travel ticket as proof that you’ll be leaving the USA
- Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel booking or letter of invitation from friends/relatives)
- Contact address in the USA (hotel address or address of friends/relatives)
- Travel plan/itinerary (overview of all stops including accommodations — it’s currently advisable to have your entire trip already booked)
- MPC App QR code (if used and available at the airport)
Depending on how busy it is, plan for the entry process at the airport to take between 30 minutes and two hours. At major airports like JFK or LAX, it can take a while before you’re officially through.
Entering the USA with Children: What You Need to Know
When traveling to the USA with children, the process is essentially the same as for adults.
However, there are a few additional things to keep in mind — especially if only one parent or another accompanying person is traveling with the child. In that case, you should absolutely have:
- A completed travel consent form signed by the non-traveling parent
- A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, so you can prove you’re authorized to travel with the child if needed
These documents aren’t always requested, but they ensure a smooth entry and a lot less stress if questions arise.
For children with a different last name than the accompanying person (e.g., in blended families), the birth certificate and consent form are especially important for quickly clearing up any questions.
Entering the USA with a Dog or Pet
Entering the USA with pets — especially dogs — is generally possible, but subject to strict rules.
Most importantly, you need proof of a valid rabies vaccination (Rabies Vaccination Certificate) that is at least 30 days old.
Other important points:
- The dog must be healthy and free from contagious diseases
- Some airlines and states have additional requirements
- Depending on the country of origin, a quarantine requirement may apply
Our tip: Check with your airline and the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) in advance for the specific requirements.
Conclusion & Checklist for Your USA Trip
Entering the USA can seem complicated at first glance — with ESTA, customs, the MPC app, and border questions. But if you’re well prepared, everything goes smoothly.
Here’s a complete checklist for your US entry.
