The United States Visa Waiver Program is managed by Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security.
Under the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of some selected countries can travel to the United States for 90 days without a visa for tourism and business purposes.
What countries fall under the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of 41 countries to travel to the United States without a visa for business or tourism for up to 90 days. Here is the list
| Andorra | Australia | Austria | Belgium |
| Brunei | Chile | Croatia | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland |
| Ireland | Israel | Italy | Japan |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
| Republic of Malta | Monaco | Netherlands | New Zealand |
| Norway | Poland | Portugal | San Marino |
| Singapore | Slovakia | Slovenia | South Korea |
| Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Taiwan[1] |
| United Kingdom |
What are the eligibility requirements for traveling to the U.S. under the VWP?
- Have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval before travel.
- Have passports with a machine-readable zone.
How to Apply for Travel Authorization to the U.S. through ESTA?
First, ensure your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). A list of participating countries is in the above table.
Ensure Passport Compatibility:
Your passport must be an electronic or “e-Passport” with a chip to qualify for the VWP.
Complete the ESTA Application:
Fill out the ESTA application form online. It’s a straightforward process.
Pay Fees:
There are two fees to pay: a $4 processing fee when you apply and an additional $17 authorization fee if approved.
Payment options will be provided during the application process.
Check Application Status:
After submitting your application and fees, you’ll receive an ESTA application number.
You can use this number to check your application status online. It might take up to 72 hours to get a response.
Validity Period:
If approved, your ESTA authorization is generally valid for two years. You can make multiple visits to the U.S. within that period without reapplying.
If your passport expires before two years, your ESTA approval will be valid until your passport’s expiration date.
Duration of Stay:
Under the VWP, you can stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days per visit for tourism or business purposes.
Other required documents
Passport: Regardless of whether you qualify for the VWP, you must present a valid passport from your country of citizenship upon entry into the U.S.
Form I-94W: Upon entry into the U.S., officials at your port of entry will issue you a Form I-94W. This form serves as an electronic record of your entry date and is an essential part of the entry process.
