A circuit and a method for ESD protection are disclosed. The circuit includes an ESD protection circuit coupled to a pad. A device is coupled to the pad and an internal circuit. The device generates a voltage drop between the pad and the internal circuit, protecting thin oxide layers of the internal circuit from damage. The method comprises coupling an internal circuit to an ESD protection circuit and generating a voltage drop between a pad and the internal circuit to protect thin oxide layers of the internal circuit from damage when an ESD pulse is coupled to the pad.