Are you planning a trip to the United States from Spain in 2024? If your trip is for tourism reasons, you should know the requirements to enter the northern country. These may vary, so it is important to be up to date with current regulations.
The good news is that most Spanish citizens do not need a visa to enter the United States thanks to the Visa Waiver Program. This program allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days for tourism or business, as long as you meet certain conditions.
To enter the United States under the visa waiver program, you need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) authorization. This electronic system verifies your eligibility to travel to the country without needing a visa.
Do it before planning your trip. It is advisable to request it even before buying your plane ticket or booking your accommodation. Two-year validity: ESTA authorization lasts for two years, allowing you to make multiple trips to the United States during that period without having to apply again.
What happens to Cuban-Spanish people if they want to travel from Spain to the United States?
Since January 2021, there are restrictions on the ESTA program for Spanish citizens who have visited Cuba on or after January 12, 2021. They have dual Spanish and Cuban nationality. In these cases, they will not be able to travel to the United States under the ESTA program and will need to apply for a tourist visa.
Visas for Spaniards are processed at the United States Embassy in Madrid, no at the Consulate General of Barcelona or at consular agencies.
Due to high demand, appointments to obtain a tourist visa are available for late 2024 or 2025. We recommend that you check availability on the Embassy website as soon as possible.
Website of the United States Embassy in Spain: