What do I need to travel to the USA from Ireland?

Planning a trip to the United States from Ireland? It’s an exciting prospect, but before you go, there’s a few essential things to sort out. From visas, ESTA and transport to money and SIM cards, a little organisation in advance can go a long way.

We will also present the Wise Card, a multicurrency debit card that allows you to spend in +40 currencies, always converting your money at the mid-market exchange rate.

Learn more about
the Wise card 💳

Travelling to USA from Ireland: What you should know

Before leaving Ireland for the US, here’s a few logistical things you should be aware of to save yourself time, money and hassle down the road.

• As a foreigner you will need a visa or to have applied for the Visa Waiver Program, commonly known as an ESTA, to be able to enter the United States - more on this in a minute.
• The US dollar (USD) is the official currency, and card payments are widely accepted throughout the country. That makes it handy to have a travel card that lets you spend in USD without high fees or poor exchange rates.
• The United States does have a strong tipping culture. It’s a good idea to be aware of the current norms so you can factor it into your travel budget.
• The cost of healthcare in the US is extremely high compared to other countries. It’s advisable to get travel insurance before you leave Ireland just in case something unexpected were to happen during your journey.
• Visits to some national parks, monuments or museums might need to be booked in advance, especially during busy times of the year.
• Having an multi-currency card, like the Wise card, that allows you to hold and spend in USD can save you money during your trip.

What documents do I need to travel to the USA from Ireland?

To travel from Ireland to the US the only document you need is a valid passport. But you’ll also need to have a US visa, or to have applied for a visa waiver instead.

Do I need an ESTA to travel to the USA from Ireland?

If you’re planning to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program, you need to have applied for it, and been granted permission through the Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA).²

Applications for an ESTA can be done through the US Customs and Border Protection agency. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Go to the official ESTA website and select “Create New Application”
2. Complete the online form, providing your personal information and answering the nine security questions
3. Review your answers to check the accuracy
4. Submit your application
5. Record your ESTA application number
6. Pay the ESTA fee

After this you need to wait for an emailing notifying you of an update to your status, which usually happens within 72 hours. You then need to go to the ESTA website and select “Check ESTA Status”.

There are three possibilities:

• Authorization Approved: You are authorised to travel to the United States, where a US Customs and Border Protection officer will decide whether to give you final permission to enter
• Travel Not Authorized: You are not authorised to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, so need to try applying for a visa instead
• Authorization Pending: Your application is still under review

Currently the fee to apply for an ESTA is 21.00 USD. You should apply at least 72 hours before boarding a flight to the US, and once granted the ESTA is valid for two years.

What is the passport validity for travelling to the USA from Ireland?

Generally, you need a passport with at least 6 months validity to travel abroad, but that’s not the case for Irish visiting the US.¹ Ireland is on a list of exempted countries that means citizens are only required to have a passport that’s valid for their intended period of stay in the US.

Take the Wise card to your US trip

Planning a trip from Ireland to the United States? The Wise card it's a very good option for those wanting to save on currency exchange and spending.

Forget hidden bank fees and unfavorable rates. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate (the rate you normally see on Google) applying only a transparent conversion fee.

And if you already have dollars in your account, there is no fee from Wise to spend if you card, because you'll be already spending in the local currency.

The Wise card is linked to your Wise multi-currency account. You can easily hold and convert 40+ currencies, and you can do this before you travel, or simply let the card automatically convert your money at the point of sale.

Do you need cash? Wise offers two free ATM withdrawals up to €200 per month*, helping you avoid those expensive international ATM fees.

Experience hassle-free spending and smart savings with the Wise card on your next American getaway.

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* Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 31 July 2025