📋 Summary (TL;DR)
- ESTA is an electronic travel authorization system offered by the US to citizens of countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
- Turkey is NOT included in the ESTA/VWP program. Turkish citizens must obtain a B1/B2 visa to travel to the US.
- ESTA is only available to citizens of 41 countries (EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia, etc.).
- In case of dual citizenship, you can use ESTA if you have a VWP country passport.
What Is ESTA?
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an online travel authorization system offered by the US government to citizens of countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). People approved through ESTA can travel to the US for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without going to a consulate, having an interview, or going through the visa application process.
ESTA is not actually a "visa." Like South Korea's K-ETA or Europe's ETIAS, it is a pre-security screening approval given to citizens of countries that have visa-free travel rights.
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Is Turkey Included in the ESTA/VWP Program?
No. Turkey is not included in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as of 2026.
This means no citizen carrying a Turkish passport (regardless of Bordeaux, Green, or Grey) can travel to the US with ESTA. Turkish citizens must apply for one of the following visa types to travel to the US:
- B1/B2 Visa: Tourist and business travel visa (most common)
- F-1 Visa: Student visa
- J-1 Visa: Exchange visitor / Work & Travel
- H-1B Visa: Work visa
- K-1 Visa: Fiancé visa
🔑 Dual Citizenship Exception
If you are a citizen of a VWP country in addition to Turkish citizenship (e.g., Germany, Italy, Greece, UK), you can apply for ESTA with that country's passport. However, you must travel with that passport and present it at US border control.
Countries Under VWP (2026 Updated List)
Citizens of the following 41 countries can travel to the US visa-free with ESTA:
Europe
Germany, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Croatia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Greece
Asia-Pacific
Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand
Americas
Chile
ESTA Application Process (For VWP Country Citizens)
If you are a citizen of a VWP country or have dual citizenship, the ESTA application process is as follows:
- Go to the official ESTA website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov (WARNING: Only this address is official. Do not enter your information on fake sites with ".com" or different extensions!)
- Enter your personal information: Passport details, contact information, travel plan, and security questions.
- Pay the fee: As of 2026, the ESTA application fee is $21 (via credit/debit card or PayPal).
- Wait for the result: Results usually come within seconds or at most within 72 hours.
- Validity: An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires and grants multiple entry rights.
Beware of ESTA Scams!
When you search for "ESTA application" online, the vast majority of sites that appear are unofficial intermediary organizations. These sites:
- Charge you $80-150 for a $21 transaction.
- Use fake interfaces that closely resemble the official site.
- Mislead users by appearing at the top of Google ads.
Make your ESTA application only from esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The ".gov" extension guarantees that this site belongs to the US government.
US Travel for Turkish Citizens: What to Do Instead of ESTA?
Since you cannot use ESTA as Turkish citizens, you should follow these steps when planning US travel:
- Apply for a B1/B2 visa: Fill out the DS-160 form, pay the MRV fee ($185), and attend the consulate interview.
- Prepare for the interview: You should be able to clearly explain your purpose of travel, length of stay, and ties to Turkey for your return.
- Prepare your bank account: Prepare bank statements showing regular income and sufficient balance for the last 6 months.
- Build your travel history: Having previously traveled to countries like Schengen or the UK gives a positive signal in your US visa application.
💡 When Might Turkey Be Included in VWP?
For a country to be included in the VWP, its US visa refusal rate must be below 3%. Since Turkey's US visa refusal rate is around 30-40%, it is not expected to be included in the ESTA/VWP program in the near future. However, developments in bilateral relations and improvements in Turkey's economic conditions could change this situation in the long term.
