The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a program that allows citizens of Italy and other Visa Waiver Program countries to travel to the United States for short stays without obtaining a full visa.1 It serves as an alternative to the traditional visa application process. The primary purpose of the ESTA program is to facilitate tourism, business visits, transit through the country, or attending conferences for Italian citizens. One of the main benefits of the ESTA program is that it’s usually quicker and more affordable than the standard visa application process.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online system determines travelers’ eligibility from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to enter the United States for short visits without obtaining a visa. It is crucial to remember that ESTA permits travel to a U.S. airport, border, or port of entry.
Eligibility criteria of U.S ESTA for Italian citizens
- Will stay in the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure, or transit.
- Arrive using a carrier that is a signatory of the Visa Waiver Program.
- Unless the traveler is a resident of contiguous territory or adjacent islands, their travel cannot conclude in these areas.
- Traveler’s valid email address.
- Traveler’s home address and phone number.
- Traveler’s emergency point of contact is phone, address, and email.
If an Italian citizen wants to stay in the United States for more than 90 days, they need to apply for a B1/B2 visa, which is a non-immigrant visa. This visa permits individuals to visit the United States for specific purposes temporarily.
- B1 Visa (Business Visitor): This visa is intended for individuals traveling to the United States for business-related purposes. This could include activities such as attending business meetings, conferences, negotiations, or professional or educational conferences. B1 visa holders are not allowed to engage in gainful employment or work for a U.S. employer during their stay.
- B2 Visa (Tourist Visitor): This is designed for individuals visiting the United States for tourism, pleasure, or medical treatment. This category includes activities like visiting friends or relatives, taking a vacation, participating in social events, seeking medical treatment, or participating in recreational activities. Like the B1 visa, B2 visa holders are prohibited from working during their stay.
As an Italian citizen planning to visit the United States for leisure or business purposes, you may wonder whether to apply for an ESTA or a B1/B2 visa. You can apply for a U.S. ESTA if you plan to stay in the U.S. for 90 days or less for tourism, business, or transit purposes. However, if you plan to stay in the U.S. for over 90 days, you should apply for a B1/B2 visa. Ultimately, the choice between ESTA and B1/B2 visa depends on the purpose and duration of your stay in the U.S.
Visas for Future specializes in assisting Italian citizens interested in obtaining a U.S. B1/B2 visa or U.S. ESTA. The visa application process can be complex and stressful, so our team of experts is here to guide you through it and ensure you have all the necessary documents and information to obtain the visa successfully. Furthermore, the company commits to planting a tree for every visa or service sold, positively impacting the environment.
What We’re Offering
As an Italian citizen, you qualify for the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization ESTA and the U.S. B1/B2 Visa.
ESTA is a good choice if you plan to visit the United States for a short time. It is not a visa.1It’s an alternative to obtaining a full visa, your application is processed in 24 hours. You can stay in the U.S. for 90 days per visit.
If you plan to visit the United States for business, tourism, pleasure, visiting friends or relatives, or medical treatment, you must apply for a B1/B2 visa. Our processing service can assist you in obtaining your US B1/B2 Visa within 30 days and have it delivered to your mailbox.
- The B1/B2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows individuals to travel temporarily to the United States for business purposes (B-1), pleasure, or medical treatment (B-2).2
- The U.S. B1/B2 visas for South Africans are valid for Ten (10) years.
- Multiple Entries.
- The cost of this visa is $215.81.
Why choose us
Our visa forms are easy and simple.
We validate your application.
We answer your questions.
We plant a tree!
U.S. ESTA Requirements for Italian Citizens
Documents Required are the following:
- Valid passport(s) from a Visa Waiver Program country.
- Have a return or onward ticket.
Here’s what you’ll need to provide during the online application:
- Valid Passport Information: You’ll need your passport number, issuing country (Italy), date of issuance, and expiration date.
- Travel Information: Provide details about your intended travel to the U.S., including arrival and departure dates.
- Contact Information: This includes your email address and a point of contact in the U.S. (optional).
- Background Information: Answer questions about your travel history, criminal record, and past illnesses.
- Payment Method: You’ll need a valid debit or credit card to pay the ESTA application fee.
Maximum Duration of Stay in the U.S. for Italian Citizens with an ESTA
Italians with an approved ESTA can stay in the US for up to 90 days per trip.pen_spark
Cost and Processing Time for U.S. ESTA
It costs $46.82. Its processing time is one (1) business day.
How to apply for a U.S. ESTA for Italian Citizens Online?
Step 1: Click on “Get United States ESTA now”
Step 2: Complete the order form by providing your name, email, phone number, nationality, and travel date. You can also purchase a US visa photo.
Step 3: Pay the ESTA fee using a debit or credit card.
- Review your application details and proceed to payment.
Step 4: Answer intake forms correctly.
- Enter your details, passport information, and additional travel details.
Step 5: Upload the required documents.
- Upload a scanned copy of your passport biographical page (JPEG or JPG format).
Step 6: Submit the application
- Carefully review your application once more and submit it.
Step 7: Receive your US ESTA.
- If approved, you’ll receive your US ESTA via email and track your ESTA application status within one day.
- Print the US ESTA and carry it with you during your travel.
U.S. ESTA Sample for Italian Citizens
U.S. Visa Waiver Limit for Italian Citizens
The limitations of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for Italian citizens, accessed through ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), can be summarized as restrictions on:
- Stay Duration
- The most significant limitation is the maximum of 90 days per visit. With an ESTA, you cannot stay in the U.S. for more than 90 consecutive days.
- Travel Purpose
- Limited Categories: ESTA is only valid for specific travel purposes, such as tourism, business visits (meetings/conferences), transit through the U.S., or pleasure purposes.
- Not for Work or Studies: You cannot use ESTA for employment, enrolling in a course of study, or any activity requiring a license to work in the U.S.
- Entry and Exit
- Air or Sea Arrivals Only: ESTA is only valid for arrivals by air or sea. Land border crossings from Canada or Mexico require a visa or participation in programs like NEXUS or FAST.
- Specific Airport Limitations (Possible): While uncommon, some U.S. airports might not accept ESTA admissions. It’s advisable to check with your airline or CBP (Customs and Border Protection) for confirmation.
Additional Considerations
- Health and Criminal Background: You must be in good health without contagious diseases and have no criminal record that would prevent entry into the U.S.
- Truthful Information: Misrepresenting information on the ESTA application can lead to denial of entry.
- ESTA Approval Doesn’t Guarantee Entry: Even with an approved ESTA, the CBP officer at the port of entry has the final say on whether you are admitted into the U.S.
When is the best time for an Italian citizen to apply for a U.S. visa for travel?
If you plan to stay in the U.S. longer than 90 days, it would be the best time to obtain a U.S. B1/B2 visa. The B1/B2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows individuals to temporarily visit the United States for specific purposes. A B1 visa is intended for business-related purposes, and a B2 visa is designed for tourism, pleasure, or medical treatment. The visa will not be issued for birth tourism. Applicants need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where they live. If a traveler needs to extend their stay in the United States or want to change the purpose of their visit, they must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). An additional issuance fee is required for certain countries.
B1/b2 Requirements for Italian Citizens
The documents required to get a US Business/Tourist Visa as follows: 3
- Passport: A valid passport with a validity date of at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States.
- Travel itinerary: This includes details of your travel plans, such as the purpose of your visit, where you will be staying, and your intended length.
- Passport photo: A recent color photograph of yourself that meets the U.S. visa photo requirements.
- The minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 x 600 pixels. Maximum acceptable dimension 1200 x 1200 pixels.
- JPEG file format (less than or equal to 240 kB).
- Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States: If you have previously traveled there, you must provide the dates.
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae: This includes a summary of your educational and professional background.
- Other information: Depending on the intended purpose of travel, other applicants may be asked to provide additional information when completing the DS-160 form, such as employment details, financial status, and family ties.
- Required Documents for Minors
- Consent Letter: It should be notarized and signed by parents or guardians stating their consent for the minor to travel in the United States and outlining the purpose of the trip.
- Birth Certificate: A copy of the minor’s birth certificate to establish their relationship with the parent or legal guardian.
- Proof of Guardianship: Proof of custody or guardianship is required when a child travels or enrolls in school or medical care. It confirms an individual’s legal responsibility for the child and can be a court order, notarized letter, or other official documentation.
Cost and Processing Time for US B1/B2
- It costs $215.81.
- Processing time is 30 days.
Duration and Validity of the US B1/b2
How to apply for a US B1/b2 for Italian Citizens Online?
The US B1/B2 Visa application at Visas for Future is straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a US B1/B2 Visa.
Step 1: Click ”Get United States B1/B2 visa now“.
Step 2: Fill out the application form with your name, nationality, phone number, email address, planned date of travel, and planned date of return.
Step 3: Make payment.
- It costs $215.81.
- Payment can be made through credit card, debit card or PayPal.
Step 4: Fill out the intake form completely.
- Fill out all the details needed, such as:
- Personal Information.
- Your travel information.
- Information about the person paying for your trip. ( if someone is paying it for you).
- Information about the person traveling with you (if any).
- Previous U.S. travel information (if any).
- Your passport details.
- Information of your U.S. point of contact.
- Your family/Relatives information.
- Present Education/ employment or training details.
- Security and background questions.
Step 5: Upload the required documents.
- U.S. visa photo.
Step 6: We will update you on the progress of your application.
Step 7: Wait for your U.S B1/B2 visa confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Italian citizen need a visa for the USA?
No, Italian citizens can travel to the United States without a visa for 90 days or less under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), provided they have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before travel.
How much bank balance is required for a U.S. B2 visa?
The U.S. Embassy mandates no specific minimum bank balance requirement. However, it is recommended that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay. The amount can vary based on the length of your visit, accommodation, and travel plans. It is advisable to have a bank balance that reflects your ability to support yourself financially while in the U.S. without working.
Can I use my passport, which has expired?
No, your passport’s expiration date indicates when it is no longer valid. When it reaches its expiration date, it can no longer be used as a valid form of identification.
Does ESTA require a digital passport?
No, ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) does not require a digital passport. However, there is a related requirement: a valid passport with a machine-readable zone (MRZ) and an embedded electronic chip containing biometric information, also known as an e-passport.
Can the ESTA be renewed or extended?
No, the ESTA itself cannot be renewed or extended.
What happens if I stay longer than the 90-day ESTA limit?
Overstaying the 90-day limit on your ESTA can lead to several negative consequences, including:
1. Accruing a fine
2. Difficulties entering the U.S. in the future
- Official ESTA Application Website. (n.d.). Esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Retrieved March 16, 2024. <https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta> [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
- Travel State. (2024). Visitor Visa. State.gov. Retrieved March 14, 2024. <https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html> [↩]
- Travel State (2023, December 1). Visitor Visa. Retrieved March 14, 2024. <https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html> [↩]
- Travel State. (2023, December 1). U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country. Retrieved March 14, 2024. <https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html> [↩] [↩]
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Written by
Apple Gajes 
Apple is a skilled content writer of Visas For Future who had a bachelor's degree in Education. She does well at producing high-quality visa articles and continuously upgrading her skills by actively engaging herself to various courses and training opportunities. She also contributes to travel forms and visa fulfillment in Turkey and India. Committed to writing exceptional visa articles, she performs real visa orders and provides customer support quarterly to stay abreast of the visa processing process.
Managed by Glen Vidania
Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.
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MLA Style
Gajes, Apple. "U.S. ESTA for Italian Citizens (Visa Waiver Program)." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/u-s-esta-for-italian-citizens-visa-waiver-program/. Accessed on 15 March 2024.
Chicago Style
Gajes, Apple. "U.S. ESTA for Italian Citizens (Visa Waiver Program)." Visas For Future. March 15, 2024. https://www.visasforfuture.com/u-s-esta-for-italian-citizens-visa-waiver-program/.