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ESTA Visa Waiver Program Countries
What is the ESTA Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
The VWP consists of countries that issue their citizens a machine-readable or electronic passport to visit the US for up to 90 days without applying for a tourist or business visa in advance. Before January 2009, Visa Waiver travellers presented their machine-readable passports to the border agents for admission to the US. The ESTA, however, requires all Visa Waiver travellers to pre-register for and be approved to travel to the US. An ESTA Visa authorisation is valid for two years.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows nationals from certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, to travel to the United States to visit relatives or for business purposes for no more than 90 days. This is provided that certain conditions are met. The VWP allows for a maximum 90-day stay, regardless of whether the time is spent in Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands.
International visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries must have valid ESTA authorisation to enter the United States. All visitors must apply online for travel authorisation (ESTA).
Who needs ESTA Visa Waiver?
For all airline crew members, as well as crew members of private, commercial or maritime vessels, students and interns, temporary workers and intracompany transferees, treaty traders, religious workers, performers, artists, and representatives of foreign countries travelling for official business purposes, visas are required.
If a Visa Waiver Program Partner has notified you that you are not eligible to travel to the United States, you must apply for a nonimmigrant Visa at least three months before you plan to travel.
If you do not have imminent travel plans, you should pay the nonimmigrant visa application fee, fill out the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form and schedule a visa appointment. You may request an expedited appointment if your travel plans are imminent.
Include in your request the date and the purpose of your trip, along with a copy of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection notification regarding your ESTA status. You can find more information on scheduling an emergency appointment on the nonimmigrant visa page.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Rep.
- Denmark