The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The program was established in 1986 with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Not all countries participate in the VWP, and not all travelers from VWP countries are eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are screened prior to admission into the United States, and they are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program.
Currently, 27 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Japan
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Ireland
Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Monaco
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Nationals of the 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program may use VWP if:
The purpose of their stay in the United States is 90 days or less for tourism or business (if in doubt, travelers should check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate to verify that what they plan to do is considered tourism or business.
Transit through the United States is generally permitted.
Note that foreign media representatives planning to engage in that vocation in the United States are not eligible, as the purpose of their stay does not qualify as “business”.
These professionals must obtain a nonimmigrant media (I) visa.
They present a machine-readable passport (MRP) - issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 (integrated chip with information from the data page (e-Passport) - valid for six months past their expected stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
This includes all categories of passports - regular, diplomatic, and official, when the traveler is seeking to enter the United States for business or tourist purposes, for a maximum of 90 days;
Travelers should contact their country’s passport issuing agency or authority if they have any doubts related to whether their passport is machine-readable.
Depending on when VWP travelers’ passports were issued, other passport requirements will apply. Please refer to the Visa Waiver Program Traveler Guide on the United States CBP website for additional details on this program.
