Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | ESTA, applied for online before you fly |
| Where to apply | esta.cbp.dhs.gov (the official site only) |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Lithuania belongs to the US Visa Waiver Program. Lithuanian citizens can visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, but an approved ESTA is required before boarding, applied for on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Travelers who cannot use the program apply for a B-2 visitor visa instead.
What the status means in practice
Lithuania belongs to the US Visa Waiver Program. Lithuanian citizens traveling for tourism, family visits or business can enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, provided an approved ESTA is in place before boarding. The ESTA is a travel authorization, not a visa, issued through the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Those who cannot use the program apply for a B-2 visitor visa instead.
Before you fly and on arrival
Apply for the ESTA well before the trip on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and check the approval before booking flights. From Lithuania, arrivals reach New York at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport; LaGuardia handles other routes. Customs and Border Protection inspects every traveler on arrival and asks about the purpose of the trip, the length of stay and the Manhattan address.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotels in Manhattan ask for a passport at check-in and often for a card for incidentals. Keep the confirmation with the street address to hand, because the address may be requested at the airport. Trains, buses and taxis connect the airports with Manhattan, and the journey can take a while. Keep the return plan in mind, since the 90-day limit counts from the day of entry.
Longer stays, work or study
The Visa Waiver Program covers tourism, family visits and short business trips. Study, employment and stays beyond 90 days need a different visa category, applied for at a US consulate before departure. An approved ESTA does not permit work for a US employer, and a visa-free entry cannot be changed into another status. Check travel.state.gov for the category that fits.
Documents to keep close
Carry the passport, the ESTA approval reference and the hotel confirmation together, in print or saved offline, so they can be shown at the airport and at check-in. A return or onward ticket matching the application dates supports the answers given at inspection. Travel insurance details are useful if medical care is needed during the stay.
How to apply for an ESTA
- Check that the passport is a biometric e-passport and read the official rules.
- Apply on the official ESTA site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not a commercial copy.
- Answer the eligibility questions about past travel, refusals and background details truthfully.
- Pay on the official site and keep the application number for later checks.
- Wait for the approval and confirm the status on the official site before booking.
- Travel with the approved ESTA linked to the passport used in the application.
- On arrival, present the passport and answer the Customs and Border Protection officer's questions.
Documents to carry
- Passport, a biometric e-passport, valid for the trip
- ESTA approval reference, printed or saved offline on a phone
- Hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and stay dates
- Return or onward ticket matching the application dates
- Travel insurance details in case medical care is needed
Lithuanian citizens: questions
Do Lithuanian citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Not for a short trip. Lithuania is in the US Visa Waiver Program, so Lithuanian citizens traveling for tourism or business for up to 90 days do not need a visa. An approved ESTA is required before boarding. Those who cannot use the program apply for a B-2 visitor visa.
How long can Lithuanian citizens stay in the United States without a visa?
A visa-free stay under the Visa Waiver Program is limited to 90 days. The count starts on the day of entry into the United States, not the day of arrival in New York, and covers the whole trip. Longer stays need a visa.
Which New York airport do Lithuanian citizens use for Manhattan?
Flights from Lithuania normally land at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport, both linked to Manhattan by train and road. LaGuardia handles many domestic routes and some international traffic. Compare options before booking, and allow time for inspection by Customs and Border Protection.
Can Lithuanian citizens work in Manhattan on an ESTA?
No. The Visa Waiver Program covers tourism, family visits and short business trips, not employment for a US employer or full-time study. Those purposes need a visa category applied for at a US consulate before departure. Check travel.state.gov for the rules.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.