Know How US Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Program Works

Most residents or nationalities of participating nations are eligible to visit the United States for vacation or business for 90 days or less, thanks to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Before travelling, passengers must obtain a current Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) permission and satisfy all conditions listed below. You can still apply for a visiting (B) visa if you’d prefer to travel with a visa in your passport.

Requirements for Using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Has to be a native or resident of a VWP-designated nation. To be qualified to fly to the U.S., according to the VWP, you must be a citizen or nationality of one of the listed nations.

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan*
United Kingdom**

British nationals must have unconstrained permanent resident rights in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man to become eligible to travel under the VWP.

Every Traveller Must Possess a Verified ESTA

Before departure on an air or sea carrier to the U.S. destination, you must get permission through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to travel without the need for a visa under the VWP. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses the ESTA web-based system to assess a visitor’s admissibility to travel to the U.S. for leisure or business under the VWP.

Your ESTA will typically be good for two years. Additionally, you need to apply for a new ESTA if any of the following occur:

You get a new passport, even for an emergency or temporary one.
You change your name.
You alter your gender.
You change your citizenship.

Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015

Visitors in the categories listed must apply for a visa before entering the United States as they are no longer qualified for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) according to the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015:

VWP nationals who entered or were present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
Other VWP nations include citizens of Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

These people may submit visa applications through routine appointment procedures at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. In addition, U.S. Embassies and Consulates are prepared to process visa applications quickly for anybody who needs them for an emergency trip to the U.S.

Suppose a person’s ESTA is rejected although they are excluded from the Act due to their diplomatic or military presence in one of the seven nations. In that case, they can visit the CBP website or contact the CBP information Centre. A non-immigrant visa application can also be made at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Before making any travel plans or entering the country, U.S. Customs and Border Protection highly advises that all visitors to the country check their ESTA status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website has more details.

Have the Correct Type of Passport

A passport that will remain valid for at least six months after your intended return date from the United States is required (unless exempted by country-specific agreements). A passport is required for every family member, including newborns and children.

Additionally, to utilize the VWP, you need an e-passport. An electronic chip is included in an e-passport, making it a more secure passport. An e-passport uses scannable chips to compare the traveller’s identity.

Moreover, standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization must be met by e-Passports (ICAO). An e-passport is easily recognized thanks to a mark on the cover.

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