Hawaii is a travel destination with an increasing popularity among travellers. Are you planning a work trip or holiday to the islands of Hawaii? Then you need a visa or ESTA. The ESTA is a digital travel permit, which you can read more about below.
Tourist magnet
Hawaii consists of a group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, that is part of American soil since 1898. The islands became the 50th of the United States in 1959 and no states are expected to be added from now on. The state is made up of eight big islands, with the island of Hawaii itself being the biggest. Other famous islands are Maui, and Oahu, on which the capital Honolulu can be found. Hawaii has been a magnet for tourists for several years. It is mostly attractive thanks to its magnificent beaches and impressive volcanoes. To travel to Hawaii, you need a valid travel permit, which can either be an ESTA or a visa.
ESTA or visa for Hawaii
Given that Hawaii is part of the USA, the same rules apply for a trip to Hawaii as for any other part of the United States. This means that you can only travel to Hawaii if you have a valid ESTA or visa, regardless of whether you travel to the islands by plane or ship. How do you find out which travel permit you require?
An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a digital travel permit required for those who do not need a visa to travel to the USA for holidays or business. Technically, you would only need to apply for a visa for a trip to America (Hawaii included) if you do not meet the ESTA requirements Among these requirements are specific rules for the travellers’ nationality, passport, travel purposes and the duration of stay. For example, an ESTA will suffice if you go to Hawaii for a business trip while working for an employer from outside the US. If, however, your intention is to work in a local or national enterprise in Hawaii, or wish to start a company in Hawaii, you will need a visa.
Apply now for your ESTA for your trip to Hawaii
How do I apply for an ESTA for my trip to Hawaii?
You can easily apply for an ESTA for your trip to Hawaii on this website. Filling in the application form usually does not take up more than 5 minutes, and can be done for multiple travellers at once. For this, you only need your passport and that of your travel companions. On average, an ESTA is approved within 3 days. The costs for the ESTA are € 49,95 and can be paid through secured payment methods. Once the application is approved, you will receive confirmation via email.
How long is an ESTA for the USA valid for?
The validity period of an ESTA is two years maximum, and it starts as soon as the application is approved. This does not mean, however, that you can spend these two years in Hawaii. Each stay can only last a maximum of 90 consecutive days. Nevertheless, you are permitted to travel to the US, including Hawaii, an unlimited number of times within the validity period. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a USA visa.
Travel advice for Hawaii
There are currently no travel restrictions for the United States. This includes Hawaii. Measures against Covid-19 have long been off the table. For a trip to Hawaii, you also don’t need any special vaccinations, but it is always wise to check the current travel advice for the US before departure. Of course, you need to have a valid ESTA or USA visa together with a valid passport. Additionally, it is recommended you get good travel and health insurance to the US.
In case you have some more questions regarding the ESTA, you can check the page with frequently asked questions and their answers.