Visa Requirements for Visiting Hawaii

Whether you need a visa to visit Hawaiʻi (a state of the United States) depends on the country that issued your passport.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is part of the Visa Waiver Program and allows nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States, including Hawaiʻi, for tourism purposes without obtaining a traditional visa for short stays of up to 90 days, provided they apply online and receive approval. ESTA functions as a required pre-travel security screening and must be approved before you board your flight.

As of January 2025, you are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program if you are a citizen or national of one of the following countries:

• Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Important: apply only through the official ESTA website and beware of imitation sites. The standard government processing fee is $21; if a site asks you to pay more than that, you are likely on an unofficial service page. The official address is esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta (enter it directly into your browser rather than following search links to reduce the risk of fraud).

Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure to the United States. Airlines and carriers can refuse boarding to passengers who do not have an approved ESTA when required. Submitting your application earlier gives you time to resolve issues if your application is delayed or denied.

When completing the online ESTA form, have these details ready: passport information, your planned travel dates, contact information, and the address where you will stay in the U.S. (hotel or other accommodation). The application includes security and eligibility questions; answer them carefully and truthfully. After approval, note your ESTA reference number and keep a copy of your approval with your travel documents—many travellers keep a digital and physical copy for convenience.

If your ESTA application is denied, or if you are not a national of one of the countries listed above, you will need to pursue a traditional visa. For guidance on visa types, application procedures and required supporting documents, contact the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate. They can explain the appropriate visa category for your trip and the steps to apply.

A few practical tips to avoid delays: double-check that the name and passport number you enter match your passport exactly; keep your passport valid for the duration of your intended stay; use a secure payment method on the official site; and verify your ESTA status before you travel. If travel plans change, review the ESTA guidance on updating information and whether a new application is necessary.

Planning ahead, using the official ESTA portal, and keeping a clear record of your application will make entering Hawaiʻi smooth and predictable when you are eligible under the Visa Waiver Program.