What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of 41 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without needing a visa. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the Department of State.
Key Requirements for Travelers under the VWP:
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen or national of one of the designated VWP countries.
- Passport: You must possess a valid e-Passport. An e-Passport has an electronic chip embedded in it containing your biometric information.
- ESTA Approval: You must obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling to the U.S. You apply for ESTA online and it typically involves a fee. It’s recommended to apply as soon as you begin planning your travel.
- Purpose of Travel: Your visit must be for tourism, business, or transit purposes, for a stay of 90 days or less. Certain activities, such as studying for credit or employment, are not permitted under the VWP.
- Return or Onward Ticket: If entering the U.S. by air or sea, you generally need to hold a return or onward ticket.
- No Prior Visa Refusals (potentially): A recent visa refusal could result in denial of ESTA authorization or additional scrutiny upon arrival.
- Travel History: Travelers who have visited certain countries (currently including Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after specific dates) may not be eligible for the VWP and may need to apply for a visa.
- No Dual Nationality with Certain Countries: Citizens who are also nationals of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria are generally not eligible for ESTA.
Updated Country List
As of the latest update, 42 nations are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The list, grouped by regions, includes the following
European countries:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania (new addition in 2025)
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Asia-Pacific:
- Australia
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Korea
Middle East and Americas:
- Chile
- Israel
- Taiwan
- Qatar (recently added)
Important Considerations:
- ESTA Validity: Once approved, ESTA is typically valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows for multiple visits to the U.S. within that period (for stays of 90 days or less per visit).
- Admission is Not Guaranteed: Even with an approved ESTA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of entry have the final authority to determine if a traveler is admissible to the United States.
- No Extension of Stay: If you enter the U.S. under the VWP, you cannot extend your stay beyond the initial 90 days.
- Applying for a Visa Instead: Even if you are eligible for the VWP, you can still choose to apply for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa if you prefer, for example, if you anticipate a longer stay.
