The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.
Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015
- Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
- Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
- Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.
Requirements for Using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
You must meet all the following requirements to travel to the United States on the VWP:
The following are examples of activities permitted while in the United States on the VWP. In addition, transiting through the United States to other countries is generally permitted for VWP travelers.
Business:
- consult with business associates
- attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
- attend short-term training (you may not be paid by any source in the United States with the exception of expenses incidental to your stay)
- negotiate a contract
Learn more about Business Travel to the United States (PDF – 362 KB).
Tourism:
- tourism
- vacation (holiday)
- visit with friends or relatives
- medical treatment
- participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
- participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
- enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)
Learn more about Visitor Visas – Business and Pleasure (PDF – 510 KB).
Travel Purposes Not Permitted on Visa Waiver Program – Examples:
- permanent residence in the United States
- study, for credit
- employment
- work as foreign press, radio, film, journalists, or other information media
Must Be a Citizen or National of a VWP Designated Country
You must be a citizen or national of the following countries* to be eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP.
| Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Malta | Monaco | Netherlands |
| New Zealand | Norway | Poland |
| Portugal | Qatar | San Marino |
| Singapore | Slovakia | Slovenia |
| South Korea | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Taiwan | United Kingdom |
Each Traveler Must Have a Valid ESTA
In order to travel without a visa on the VWP, you must have valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to boarding a U.S. bound air or sea carrier. ESTA is a web-based system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel to the United States for tourism or business under the VWP.
These individuals can apply for visas using regular appointment processes at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. For more information, please visit the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview.
If an individual who is exempt from the Act because of his or her diplomatic or military presence in one of the seven countries is denied ESTA, he or she may go to the CBP website, or contact the CBP information Center. The traveler may also apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends that any traveler to the United States check his or her ESTA status prior to making any travel reservations or travelling to the United States. More information is available on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website.
Have the Correct Type of Passport
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from the United States (unless exempted by country-specific agreements). For families, each member of your family, including infants and children, must have a passport.
In addition, you must have an e-passport to use the VWP. An e-passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. The chip can be scanned to match the identity of the traveler to the passport.
E-Passports must be in compliance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). You can readily identify an e-passport, by a symbol on the cover. See the example below. More information about e-passports is available on the DHS website.
Emergency and Temporary Passports
If you use anemergency or temporary passport to enter the United States on the VWP, the passport must be an e-passport. This includes VWP travelers who are transiting the United States.
FAQ
Q1. May I apply for a visa instead of using the VWP?
Yes, you may apply for a visitor (B) visa if you prefer to do so or if you are not eligible for VWP travel. Additionally, you need to apply for a visa if:
- You will be traveling on a private aircraft or other non-VWP approved air or sea carrier (Review the approved carriers list).
- You intend to stay longer than 90 days.
2. I was denied a visa under section 214(b). May I use the VWP?
A recent visa refusal for any reason could result in:
- Denial of ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) authorization.
- Additional review at the port of entry.
- Denial of admission to the United States.
If you are uncertain whether you qualify for VWP travel, you may apply for a visa instead.
3. What about trips to Canada, Mexico, or nearby islands?
If you are admitted to the U.S. under the VWP, you can generally take a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or a nearby island and be readmitted to the U.S. under the VWP for the remainder of the original 90 days granted upon your initial arrival.
- The total stay (including the short trip) must be 90 days or less.
- Citizens of VWP countries who reside in Mexico, Canada, or a nearby island are generally exempted from the requirement to show onward travel to another country when entering the U.S.
For more details, visit the CBP website.
4. How can a country join the VWP?
A country must meet various requirements to be considered for the Visa Waiver Program, including:
- Enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the U.S.
- Issuing e-passports.
- Having a visitor (B) visa refusal rate of less than 3% (for initial designation).
- Timely reporting of lost and stolen passports.
- Maintenance of high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.
Note: Designation as a VWP country is at the discretion of the U.S. government, and meeting the objective requirements does not guarantee VWP designation.
5. How does entering the U.S. work with an approved ESTA?
An approved ESTA allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (usually an airport) and request permission to enter the U.S. However, an approved ESTA does not guarantee entry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have the authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.
For more information, visit the CBP website.
6. Can I extend my stay in the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program?
No, if you enter the U.S. under the VWP, you are not permitted to extend your stay beyond the initial admission period. You must depart the U.S. on or before the date stamped on your admission.
For more details, visit the USCIS website.
7. Can I change my status while in the U.S. under the VWP?
No, you are not permitted to change your status if you enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. For more information on changing nonimmigrant status, visit the USCIS website.
8. What if I am traveling to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands?
Citizens of Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom do not need a visa or ESTA to visit Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
However, they must complete Form I-736 prior to travel.
