If you are arriving in Alaska from abroad, you must have the correct documentation to enter. This depends on your nationality. Different visitors may have to apply for a visa for Alaska or register for a visa waiver.
Citizens of the countries included in the Visa Waiver Program can apply for an ESTA visa waiver to explore Alaska.
Can You Travel to Alaska Without a Visa?
Holders of a passport issued by any country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not have to apply for a tourist visa to Alaska. Instead, they can obtain the ESTA by completing an easy and quick online form.
The ESTA allows entry for tourism and business purposes. However, it does not authorize trips to the US to study or work, or to apply for permanent residence in the United States. In these cases, it is best to inquire at the nearest US consulate or embassy to apply for the visa that best fits your travel purposes.
Travelers must follow US immigration regulations and laws. Upon arrival in Alaska, travelers will be required to present a valid passport and a valid ESTA or U.S. tourist visa.
What Is the ESTA for Alaska?
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an online visa waiver system for the United States, including Alaska.
Citizens of countries in the VWP can register online to visit Alaska visa-free. This means they can avoid having to go through a lengthy visa application process at a US embassy.
There are over 40 VWP countries — a list that includes the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
The ESTA is valid for 2 years, and will allow them to enter the country for a stay of up to 90 days without having to apply for a traditional visa.
Since Alaska is an American state – no matter how far-flung it might be from the rest of the US – it, too, is subject to the same immigration rules.
Requirements for an ESTA for Alaska
To be eligible for an ESTA for Alaska, travelers must be coming to Alaska for one of the following reasons:
- Tourism
- Business
- Transit on the way to a third destination
Applicants for the Alaska ESTA must travel with a passport issued by one of these states.
To register with the ESTA, you must provide a few required supporting documents as part of the online application.
What documents are required to apply for the Alaska ESTA?
The following items are required to successfully complete ESTA registration for Alaska:
- Valid biometric passport issued by a VWP country
- Email address to receive confirmation of the travel authorization
- Method of payment to cover the ESTA processing fee
The traveler’s passport must be valid for the duration of the stay in the United States. This includes any other US destination they plan to visit after Alaska.
How Do I Apply for an ESTA to Travel to Alaska?
The ESTA registration process is quick and simple.
Travelers will need to fill out the online ESTA application with the following information:
- Basic personal details
- Passport information
- Contact details
- Security questions
Applicants should take care to ensure that all the information they enter is correct and accurate, since even small mistakes could lead to issues processing or using the ESTA visa waiver for Alaska.
It is particularly important to make sure the passport details match exactly.
After completing the questionnaire, applicants will be taken to a payment page where they can pay the ESTA application fee via debit or credit card.
ESTA application steps for Alaska
Registration for the ESTA for Alaska is designed to be quick and easy.
Simply complete the following steps:
- Complete the short online form
- Pay the small processing fee
- Receive confirmation of the Alaska ESTA by email
Approval is rapid, taking up to 2 business days at most. In many cases, travelers receive their ESTA even sooner. Applicants will receive an email that confirms that their ESTA for Alaska was approved by the Department of Homeland Security. Save this email carefully and print out the approved ESTA travel authorization to carry on the trip to the US.
Traveling to Alaska With the ESTA
Passengers will need an ESTA electronically linked to their passport to board a flight or ship to Alaska or any other part of the US.
The ESTA is read automatically when the passport is scanned. However, it is advisable to also print a copy of the confirmation just in case.
Upon arrival in Alaska, the traveler’s passport and ESTA will be checked again by US border control officers.
The ESTA for Alaska is valid for 2 years and allows multiple visits. Holders can keep the valid ESTA for Alaska for a return trip in the future – whether they travel by plane or by boat, the ESTA authorization will be valid.
The travel authorization also allows you to travel to any other part of the United States.
What documents do I need to travel to Alaska?
International passengers need the following documents to go to Alaska:
- US ESTA or visa
- Passport valid for the duration of the trip
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself (if applicable)
- Accommodation bookings (if applicable)
Individuals with an ESTA must enter Alaska using the same passport they registered during the online application.
This is particularly important for passengers with dual citizenship and multiple passports.
If the passport you used to apply expires or is lost, stolen, or damaged, the ESTA associated with it cannot be used.
In this case, simply re-register using your new passport using the online platform.