Helping a friend with his visa application

[Noctis]

Do you have friends in foreign countries who have traveled to the US recently? Do we still need to provide COVID-related documents? One of my friends wants to visit but is unsure about the process.

 

[sonata11]

Your friend can apply for a traditional visa, but it's easier to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) if their home country is included in the Visa Waiver Program. There is no need to be tested or provide vaccination proof for COVID as well.

 

[Noctis]

Thank you. My friend is from Singapore, and we checked he is eligible for the ESTA. He had been fully vaccinated for COVID as well.

We are thinking of visiting Canada for a few days. Can we go with this kind of visa?

 

[sonata11]

A quick trip to Canada should be okay; we went there with my relative from Germany a few years ago. You should be safe if you don't do something a tourist won't do. The other downside I remember is the fixed length, so your friend must return before their ESTA expires.