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Yes — Portuguese citizens need an approved ESTA to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
It's a quick online authorization — not a visa, with no embassy visit or interview.
Last updated June 2026
Authorization
ESTA
Decision time
72 hours
Validity
2 years or until passport expiry
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) lets citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit for stays of up to 90 days — without a visa. It is electronically linked to your passport and must be approved before you board your flight to the U.S.
Check your eligibility
Confirm your nationality is part of the Visa Waiver Program and that you hold a biometric e-passport.
Complete the application
Answer the CBP eligibility questions. Most applicants finish in about 10 minutes with our guided, step-by-step wizard.
Pay the fee
Pay securely by card to submit your application for processing.
Receive your approval
Most ESTAs are approved within 72 hours — often within minutes. CBP recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure.
Almost all of these are avoidable. Our 23-point check reviews every answer before you submit, and our refund guarantee covers eligible applications.
Official government source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
No. An ESTA is a travel authorization under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, not a visa. It allows eligible travelers to visit the United States for up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa.
An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and can be used for multiple trips to the U.S. during that time.
CBP recommends applying at least 72 hours before you travel. Most approvals are faster, but you should never book travel on the assumption of instant approval.
Yes. Every traveler, regardless of age, needs their own approved ESTA linked to their own passport.
Charta Visa is a private service that reviews your answers with a 23-point check, guides you through every question in plain language, and submits your application. We are not a government website and are not affiliated with any government.
A guided application with a 23-point error check before you submit — most travelers finish in about 10 minutes.
Start your applicationCharta Visa is an independent service that checks, guides, and submits your application — not a government website, and not affiliated with any government.