Passport
ESTA and passport: these requirements apply
Last checked: · Sources: CBP, DHS, Federal Register
ESTA is firmly linked to one passport. If the wrong passport is in the application or the document has no chip, even an approved authorisation is of no use. Here is an overview of the requirements – with the sources that matter.
Mandatory: an electronic passport (e-passport)
According to CBP, use of the Visa Waiver Program is restricted to passports with certain security features. The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the data page and be an electronic passport with a chip containing the holder’s biometric data. Since 1 April 2016, CBP has required an e-passport from all travellers. You can recognise it by the e-passport symbol on the cover.
The current German passport (burgundy cover, chip in the cover) meets this requirement. Without a chip – for example with a German child passport or a temporary passport – entry under the Visa Waiver Program is not possible; a visa would then be the way to go. If you are unsure, the German Federal Foreign Office or your passport authority can tell you which document you hold.
How long must the passport be valid?
As a rule, the United States requires the passport to be valid for six months beyond the planned stay. However, CBP keeps a list of states whose citizens are exempt from this six-month rule and only need a passport valid for the duration of their stay. The list (as of 12/2025) includes Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, among others.
In practice, your passport should therefore be valid at least until the last day of your stay. Allow for delays and extensions of the trip, and check the current CBP list before booking. As for ESTA itself: it ends with the passport at the latest (see ESTA validity).
Passport and authorisation belong together
- The application records the passport number, issuing country and validity dates. Typos are a common source of errors – compare every character with the data page.
- If you have several passports, you need an ESTA for the passport you travel with. According to CBP, travelling with a different passport is not possible.
- With a new passport you must apply for a new ESTA, even if the old one is still valid. The fee is charged again.
- Children need their own passport and their own authorisation (ESTA for children).
Questions about passports and the application are answered in the FAQ; the requirements are summarised on a separate page. Once your passport and details are ready, you can complete the application in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a biometric passport for ESTA?
- Yes. CBP requires an electronic passport with a chip containing biometric data and a machine-readable zone on the data page.
- How long must my German passport still be valid?
- Germany is on the CBP list of countries exempt from the six-month rule. Your passport should therefore be valid at least until the end of your planned stay. Check the current CBP list before your trip.
- Can I travel to the US with a German child passport?
- Not under the Visa Waiver Program: the German child passport is not recognised for visa-free entry into the United States. It has no chip and does not meet CBP’s e-passport requirement.
- Do I have to apply again with a new passport?
- Yes. According to CBP, a new passport requires a new ESTA, because the authorisation is tied to the passport details.
You will find more answers in the ESTA FAQ.
Sources and date
Checked on 4 October 2026. The information is based on the following government sources. Rules and fees can change; the current publication by CBP is decisive. This article is general information and not legal or immigration advice.
Next steps
Prepare your application, compare prices or keep reading – the decision is always made by CBP.