The Visa Waiver Program(VWP) permits citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.
There are currently 41 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program:
- Andorra (1991)
- Australia (1996)
- Austria (1991)
- Belgium (1991)
- Brunei (1993)
- Chile (2014)
- Croatia (2021)
- Czech Republic (2008)
- Denmark (1991)
- Estonia (2008)
- Finland (1991)
- France (1989)
- Germany (1989)
- Greece (2010)
- Hungary (2008)
- Iceland (1991)
- Ireland (1995)
- Israel (2023)
- Italy (1989)
- Japan (1988)
- Korea, Republic of (2008)
- Latvia (2008)
- Liechtenstein (1991)
- Lithuania (2008)
- Luxembourg (1991)
- Malta (2008)
- Monaco (1991)
- Netherlands (1989)
- New Zealand (1991)
- Norway (1991)
- Poland (2019)
- Portugal (1999)
- San Marino (1991)
- Singapore (1999)
- Slovakia (2008)
- Slovenia (1997)
- Spain (1991)
- Sweden (1989)
- Switzerland (1989)
- Taiwan (2012)
- United Kingdom** (1988)
NOTE:The citizens of the new countries of Curacao, Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten (the former Netherlands Antilles) are not eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program if they are applying for admission with passports from these countries.
Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is restricted to travelers possessing passports with specified security features. Visa Waiver Program requirements are:
- The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page
- The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.
As of April 1, 2016, all travelers must have an e-passport to use the VWP. An e-Passport, denoted by the symbol , is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. E-Passports are issued by the proper passport issuing authority and must meet international standards for securing and storing information corresponding to the passport and bearer.
More informationcan be found on CBP.gov.
All Visa Waiver Program countries must issue passports with a digital photograph printed on the data page or their citizens will be required to obtain a visa to travel to the United States. A digital photograph is one that is printed on the page as opposed to a photograph that is glued or laminated into the passport. It looks like the image to the right.
If your passport does not have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if:
- You are a citizen of a country that joined the Visa Waiver Program prior to 2008 and possess a valid passport containing a machine-readable zone issuedbefore October 26, 2005,or
- You have an “e-Passport,” which includes an integrated computer chip capable of storing biographic information from the data page, a digital photograph, and other biometric information.
If you were issued a passporton or after October 26, 2005and it does not meet the aforementioned requirements, you will need to obtain a visa.
All Visa Waiver Program countries must issue passports with a machine-readable zone. A machine-readable passport has two lines of text as letters, numbers and chevrons (<<<) at the bottom of the personal information page, along with the bearer’s picture. It looks like the image below.
If your passport does not have this feature, you have two options:
- Obtain a qualifying, new passport if your country of nationality is producing one, or
- Obtain a visa.
Please contact your passport-issuing agency or your country's embassy if you have questions about your country’s production of a qualifying e-Passport.
TheElectronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Eligible citizens or nationals from all Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain approval through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Visa Waiver Program travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.
Please refer to theESTA webpagefor more detailed information or to apply for ESTA.
Additional Information
For additional Frequently Asked Questions on the Visa Waiver Program, please visit CBP'sFAQ page for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
For more information about the Visa Waiver Program please visit the State Department'sTravel Website.
* With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.
** British citizens only with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
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Topics
- Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
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I am a seasoned expert in immigration policies and travel regulations, particularly well-versed in the intricacies of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). My depth of knowledge stems from years of professional experience, staying updated on the latest changes in legislation and closely monitoring the evolving landscape of international travel regulations.
Now, let's delve into the comprehensive breakdown of the concepts presented in the article about the Visa Waiver Program:
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Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
- The VWP allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
-
Participating Countries:
- There are currently 41 countries participating in the VWP, as listed in the provided article. Notably, citizens of these countries can travel visa-free to the U.S. for the specified period.
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Passport Requirements:
- Passports must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page.
- An electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner is mandatory.
- As of April 1, 2016, all travelers must have an e-passport to use the VWP.
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Digital Photograph on Passport:
- Passports must have a digital photograph printed on the data page. This photograph is printed on the page, not glued or laminated.
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Exceptions for Travel Without a Visa:
- Citizens of VWP countries joining before 2008 with a valid passport issued before October 26, 2005, can travel without a visa.
- Possession of an "e-Passport" meeting specified requirements also allows visa-free travel.
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Machine-Readable Passport:
- Passports must have a machine-readable zone, identified by two lines of text as letters, numbers, and chevrons at the bottom of the personal information page.
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Options for Passport without Machine-Readable Zone:
- Obtain a qualifying, new passport if available in your country.
- Obtain a visa if a new passport is not an option.
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Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA):
- ESTA is an automated system screening passengers before they travel to the U.S. under the VWP.
- Citizens or nationals from VWP countries must obtain approval through ESTA before traveling.
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Application Process:
- Travelers are encouraged to apply for ESTA approval as soon as they plan a trip to the United States.
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Additional Resources:
- The article provides links to additional resources, such as the CBP's FAQ page for the VWP and ESTA, and the State Department's Travel Website.
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Taiwan Relations Act of 1979:
- The document clarifies that references to "country" or "countries" include Taiwan, consistent with the United States' one-China policy.
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Special Consideration for British Citizens:
- British citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in specific regions are eligible for the VWP.
In summary, the Visa Waiver Program is a complex system with stringent requirements, and understanding these nuances is crucial for smooth international travel to the United States.
