There may come a time in your career when you must travel to the US for an important meeting, for Tourism it is more and you won’t be able to consume the 6 months Visitor Visa period.
If this is sounding like you, then read on because I have something juicy to let you inside the US without a visa, it is the New US Visa Waiver Program.
What is the New US Visa Waiver Program?
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 before 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.
Requirements for Using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
You must meet all of the following requirements to travel to the United States on the VWP:
- Travel Purpose Must be Permitted on a Visitor (B) Visa
- 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: 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.
Each Traveler Must Have a Valid ESTA
To travel without a visa on the VWP, you must have authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a U.S.-bound air or sea carrier.
ESTA is a web-based system operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel under the VWP to the United States for tourism or business. Visit the ESTA webpage on the CBP website for more information.
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 his/her 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 comply with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). You can readily identify an e-passport by a symbol on the cover.
Emergency and Temporary Passports
If you use an emergency 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.
Entering the United States
An approved ESTA allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States, but an approved ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States.
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry have the authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.
Extending your stay
If you enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you are not permitted to extend your stay in the United States beyond the initial admission period.
You must depart the United States on or before the date on your admission stamp when you entered the United States.
See Extend Your Stay in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for more information.
Change of Status
If you enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you are not permitted to change your status in the United States.
See Change My Nonimmigrant Status on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for more information.
FAQs
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.
Also, if you intend to stay longer than 90 days, then you need to apply for a visa.
Can I travel to the United States without obtaining a visa?
Yes, citizens or nationals of participating countries can travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa through the Visa Waiver Program.
What is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)?
ESTA is a web-based system operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that determines eligibility for travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers must have a valid ESTA approval before boarding a U.S.-bound air or sea carrier.
Can I update my ESTA information?
Answer: Yes, you must obtain a new ESTA if you receive a new passport, change your name, gender, or country of citizenship, or need to modify your responses to any of the questions on the ESTA application.
What are the eligibility criteria for the NVW?
Answer: To be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must be a citizen or national of a designated VWP country and your travel purpose must be permitted on a visitor (B) visa.
Conclusion
To be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must be a citizen or national of a designated VWP country and your travel purpose must be permitted on a visitor (B) visa.
Keep in mind that there are restrictions and exceptions based on travel to certain countries or dual nationality with specific countries.
For example, travel to certain countries after specific dates may make individuals ineligible for the VWP.
Also, If you use an emergency or temporary passport to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, it must be an e-passport.