ESTA or B-2 visa: what you need to travel and see your land in the US
Owning land does not change the visa you need to enter the US. Chileans travel on the Visa Waiver Program with an ESTA; Argentines and Brazilians need a B-2 tourist visa. Here is what each costs, how long it takes and how to get from the airport to the lots.
By Francisco Cortés Santolalla 5 min read
Which visa do you need to visit your land in the US?
It depends on your passport, not the land. With a Chilean passport you use the Visa Waiver Program and apply online for an ESTA. With an Argentine or Brazilian passport you need a B-1/B-2 tourist visa, with a form, a fee and an interview.
Chile has been in the Visa Waiver Program since 2014. Argentina is listed as a former member since 2002, and Brazil is not on the list. Owning a lot gives no immigration advantage, as we explain in does buying property give you residency?. The table sums up each case.
| Passport | Permit | Cost | How to apply | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chile | ESTA (Visa Waiver) | US$40.62 | Online | Up to 90 days |
| Argentina | B-1/B-2 visa | US$185 | DS-160, appointment and interview | Set by the officer at entry |
| Brazil | B-1/B-2 visa | US$185 | DS-160, appointment and interview | Set by the officer at entry |
Costs as of 6 November 2026, per CBP and the State Department.
How do you apply for an ESTA from Chile?
On the official ESTA website, with your passport, a selfie, your email, your home address and an emergency contact. It costs US$40.62 and, once approved, is usually valid for two years or until your passport expires.
The fee and the data it asks for are on the official ESTA website. The two-year validity and the 90-day limit per visit are in the CBP FAQ, from US Customs and Border Protection.
Apply only on that .gov site, as soon as you have travel dates. If you are buying from Chile, the lots and the process are in the catalogue of lots.
How do you get a B-2 visa from Argentina or Brazil?
In five steps: fill in Form DS-160 online with your photo, pay US$185, book the appointment, attend the interview at the embassy or consulate, and get your passport back with the visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay.
That is how the State Department's visitor visa page describes it, adding that fingerprints are taken at the interview or before, depending on the post. The US$185 fee is on its fee schedule.
Step 1
Form DS-160
Online, with your photo
Step 2
Pay US$185
The tourist visa fee
Step 3
Book the appointment
Fingerprints, depending on the post
Step 4
Interview
At the embassy or consulate
Step 5
Passport with visa
At arrival, the border officer decides on entry
Buying from Brazil? The guide for Brazilian buyers covers the process in Portuguese.
How long does it take to get a visa appointment?
It depends on the city. According to the State Department, as of 21 October 2026 the next B-1/B-2 appointment was under half a month away in Buenos Aires and Recife, and two months or more in São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre.
The chart uses the official visa wait times table, updated monthly. You can book at any US consulate in your country, so it pays to check which one has dates first.
Can you renew a US visa without an interview?
Only in one case: renewing a B-1/B-2 visa that expired less than 12 months ago, was issued for full validity, and was issued when you were 18 or older. Since October 2025, almost everyone else is interviewed, including children and people over 79.
The rule is in the State Department's 18 September 2025 notice, in force since 1 October 2025. If your visa expires soon, renewing on time can save you the interview.
How long can you stay with an ESTA or a B-2 visa?
With an ESTA, up to 90 days per visit. With a B-2 visa, the officer decides at arrival and gives you an admission stamp or an I-94 record. Both are for tourism or business, not for living on your land.
The 90-day limit is on the Department of Homeland Security page, and the stamp or Form I-94 in the State Department guide. A visa does not guarantee entry: the final decision is made by the officer at the airport.
What may change in 2026 and 2027
Two things could move these numbers. The first is an extra charge: a July 2025 law created a visa integrity fee of at least US$250, charged when the visa is issued. As of 6 November 2026 it does not appear on the State Department fee schedule.
The second is Argentina. In July 2025 the Argentine government signed a declaration of intent to rejoin the Visa Waiver Program, as the first step in a long process. Until Argentina appears on the official list, Argentines still need a B-1/B-2 visa.
Getting to the lots
There is no commercial airport in Cherokee Village: you fly into a nearby city and drive. According to Google Maps, it takes about two and a half hours from Memphis or Little Rock. Renting a car is best, since the lots are on residential streets in the woods.
| Airport | State | Driving time | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis (MEM) | Tennessee | About 2 h 30 min | 146 miles |
| Little Rock (LIT) | Arkansas | About 2 h 30 min | 139 miles |
| Springfield-Branson (SGF) | Missouri | About 2 h 45 min | 165 miles |
| Northwest Arkansas (XNA) | Arkansas | About 4 h | 198 miles |
Fastest route per Google Maps, checked 6 November 2026. Traffic may change it.
Before you go, find your lot on the map of the lots. To learn about the region, read the Ozarks, the series and Arkansas.
What should you bring to see your lot?
Your lot's parcel number, the link to its page with the map, a downloaded copy of the map in case you have no signal, and our contact details. With that you can find the lot even if you have never been to the area.
Every lot has its own page with drone photos and its county parcel number, like lot 130-11368-000 in the photo above. See them all in the catalogue of lots.
Tell us your dates on a video call and we will send you directions to your lot.
Next steps
Remember you do not need to travel to buy: you sign remotely, as explained in how to buy land in the USA. The price is US$15,000 cash, or US$3,000 down and 24 payments of US$500. Still have questions? Check the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to buy land in the US?
No. You buy and sign remotely from your country. A visa or an ESTA is only needed if you want to travel to see it.
Can I use an ESTA for several trips?
Yes. While it is valid, usually two years or until your passport expires, you can travel several times, with stays of up to 90 days.
Can a Brazilian use the Visa Waiver Program?
No. Brazil is not in the program, so Brazilians need a B-1/B-2 visa.
Can I apply for the visa in another city in my country?
Yes. You can choose any US consulate in your country. Check each one's wait time before booking.
Updated November 11, 2026
