VISA WAIVER PROGRAM (VWP)

LAW OFFICES OF NORKA M. SCHELL, LLC BLOG

11 Broadway, Suite 615

New York, NY 10004

Tel. (212)564-1589 / (973)621-9300

Website: www.lawschell.com

Citizen or National of a VISA WAIVER PROGRAM Designated Country* 

In order for a person to qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, he or she must be a citizen or national of VWP-participant country. 

The following 38 countries are Visa Waiver Program participants:

A Andorra Australia Austria

B Belgium Brunei

C Chile Czech Republic

D Denmark

E Estonia

F Finland France

G Germany Greece

H Hungary

I Iceland Ireland Italy

J Japan

L Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg

M Malta Monaco

N Netherlands New Zealand Norway

P Portugal

S San Marino Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland

T Taiwan

U United Kingdom

Each Traveler Must have authorization under ESTA

In order to travel without a visa on the VWP, you must have authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a U.S. bound air or sea carrier. ESTA is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) automated web-based system to determine eligibility to travel without a visa to the United States for tourism or business. Visit the EATS webpage on the CBP website for more detailed information, to apply for ESTA, and pay the fee.

Travel Must be on an Approved Carrier

If arriving by air or sea, you must be arriving on an approved air or sea carrier. You must also have a round trip ticket indicating return passage to a country outside the United States.

Previous Compliance and No Prior Visa Ineligibilities

If you have had a U.S. visa before or previously traveled to the United States under the VWP or another status, you must have complied with the conditions of previous admissions to the United States, and you must not have previously been found ineligible for a U.S. visa.

Travelers should be aware that by requesting admission under the Visa Waiver Program, they are generally waiving their right to review or appeal a CBP officer’s decision as to their application for admission at the port of entry. See the CBP website for additional details.

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 own passport. 

* Text was extracted from U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs.

For more information about the Visa Waiver Program, contact our office at (212)564-1589 or visit the Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs at website at www.travelstate.gov.