The Nation/GDA
He Visa Waiver Program (VWPfor its acronym in English), created in 1986, allows citizens of 41 countries travel without a visa to the United States for business or tourism, for stays of up to 90 days. In exchange, those nations must allow Americans to enter their territory for a similar period of time and for the same purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicates that the VWP is an association that promotes safe travel to your country. “No other program allows the United States government to conduct such extensive and far-reaching evaluations of foreign security regulations and operations,” the agency highlighted. The designation of nations is in charge of the DHS in consultation with the Department of State.
Which countries do not need a visa to enter the United States?
Currently, there are 41 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. The last to join was Israel, in 2023.
- Andorra (1991)
- Australia (1996)
- Austria (1991)
- Belgium (1991)
- Brunei (1993)
- Chile (2014)
- Croatia (2021)
- Czech Republic (2008)
- Denmark (1991)
- Estonia (2008)
- Finland (1991)
- France (1989)
- Germany (1989)
- Greece (2010)
- Hungary (2008)
- Iceland (1991)
- Ireland (1995)
- Israel (2023)
- Italy (1989)
- Japan (1988)
- Korea, Republic of (2008)
- Latvia (2008)
- Liechtenstein (1991)
- Lithuania (2008)
- Luxembourg (1991)
- Malta (2008)
- Monaco (1991)
- Netherlands (1989)
- New Zealand (1991)
- Norway (1991)
- Poland (2019)
- Portugal (1999)
- San Marino (1991)
- Singapore (1999)
- Slovakia (2008)
- Slovenia (1997)
- Spain (1991)
- Sweden (1989)
- Switzerland (1989)
- Taiwan (2012)
- United Kingdom (1988)
The department explains that citizens of the new countries of Curaçao, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius, Saba and Saint Martin (the former Netherlands Antilles) are not eligible for travel to the United States with the Visa Waiver Program if they apply for admission with passports from these countries.
Additionally, program travelers must have a Electronic Travel Authorization Systemknown as THISwhich is valid and approved, as well as meeting other requirements.
ESTA is an automated system that helps determine the eligibility to travel to the US under the VWP and check whether such travel poses any security or law enforcement risk. Foreigners must apply for it and receive authorization to board a plane or ship bound for the United States. However, they warn that this is not a guarantee of admission and that, during the inspection, approval by an official at the port of entry must be established.
In most cases, the ESTA applicants You will receive a real-time notification about the status of your order. Those who are denied will be advised to apply for a visa at the nearest US consulate or embassy.
Passport Requirements for the Visa Waiver Program
The travel under the Visa Waiver Program They are restricted to foreigners who hold passports with the following specific security features:
- Must have a machine-readable area on the bio page
- It must be electronic and have a digital chip that contains biometric information about the passport holder
Since April 1, 2016, all travelers must have a electronic passport to use the VWP, which is identified by the symbol. It is a secure and enhanced document with an integrated electronic chip, which is issued by the corresponding authority of each country and must comply with international standards to protect and store the bearer’s information.
