Please
refer to the link below for the most updated information:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
Important Notices:
ESTA Updates:
New ESTA Fee: Effective September 8, 2010, all Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) registration applications or renewals on or after that date will require a $14.00 fee payment by credit or debit card. Existing ESTA registrations remain valid through their expiration date. For more information, please visit the ESTA webpage on the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection website.
ESTA is Required: Effective January 20, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security is transitioning to enforced compliance of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirement for VWP travelers. Therefore, VWP travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United States.
As of January 12, 2009, a valid ESTA approval is required for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers fill out en route to the United States. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States. DHS recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin making travel plans.
Learn more about ESTA on the DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, www.cbp.gov. ESTA applications may be completed online at the official DHS website, which is: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. Review the important DHS Advisory Warning about unauthorized third-party ESTA application related web sites.
Emergency Passports: Effective July 1, 2009, all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) emergency or temporary passports must be electronic passports (e-Passports) to be eligible for travel to the United States under the VWP. This includes VWP applicants who present emergency or temporary passports to transit the United States. Learn more.
GREECE: On March 9, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security designated Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Greek nationals can travel on the VWP beginning April 5, 2010. However, potential Greek travelers may apply for travel authorization approval under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) beginning immediately.
Overview – What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established to eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Nationals of VWP countries must meet eligibility requirements to travel without a visa on VWP, and therefore, some travelers from VWP countries are not eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel, are screened at the port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program.
Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
Currently, 36 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:
Andorra |
Hungary |
New Zealand |
Australia |
Iceland |
Norway |
Austria |
Ireland |
Portugal |
Belgium |
Italy |
San Marino |
Brunei |
Japan |
Singapore |
Czech Republic |
Latvia |
Slovakia |
Denmark |
Liechtenstein |
Slovenia |
Estonia |
Lithuania |
South Korea |
Finland |
Luxembourg |
Spain |
France |
Malta |
Sweden |
Germany |
Monaco |
Switzerland |
Greece |
the Netherlands |
United Kingdom |
How does a country qualify to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
To be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, a country must meet various security and other requirements, such as enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States and timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports. VWP members are also required to maintain high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.
In addition, designation as a VWP country is at the discretion of the United States government. Meeting the objective requirements of the VWP does not guarantee a successful candidacy for VWP membership.
Which travelers may use the Visa Waiver Program to enter the United States?
Review this VWP Quick Reference Guide (for new member countries) and make sure you review this webpage for detailed information. Nationals of the 36 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program may use VWP if:
- They have received an authorization to travel under the VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA
- They present the appropriate type of passport valid for six months past their expected stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). This is a requirement in addition to other passport requirements for all categories of passports -- regular, diplomatic, and official - when the traveler is seeking to enter the United States for business or tourist purposes, for a maximum of 90 days;
- The purpose of their stay in the United States is 90 days or less for tourism or business (Visitor (B) visa) purpose of travel. (If in doubt, travelers should check with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to verify that what they plan to do is considered tourism or business.) Transit through the United States is generally permitted.
Important Notice: Foreign media representatives planning to engage in that vocation in the United States are not eligible for VWP travel, as the purpose of their stay does not qualify as “business”. These professionals must obtain a nonimmigrant media (I) visa. Note also that travelers planning to work or study cannot travel on VWP, and they must obtain the appropriate visa to travel to the United States Learn More.
- If arriving by air or sea, they are traveling on an approved carrier (See the approved carriers list) and have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination;
- They can demonstrate the intent to stay 90 days or less in the United States and demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves while in the United States. Learn more on the CBP website.
VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the United States under the VWP for the balance of their original admission period. See the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for additional details. Also VWP nationals resident in Mexico, Canada or adjacent islands are generally exempted from requirements to show onward travel to other foreign destinations. Learn more at the CBP website.
When does a national of a VWP country need to apply for a visa instead of using the VWP?
Nationals of VWP countries must meet the guidelines listed in the section above in order to seek admission to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers who do not meet these guidelines must apply for a visa.
A visa must be requested if the traveler:
- Wants to remain in the United States for longer than 90 days, or envisions that they may wish to change their status (from tourism to student, etc.) once in the United States;
- Wants to work or study in the United States, travel as a working foreign media representative, come to the United States for other purposes not allowed on a visitor visa, or intends to immigrate to the United States;
- Is a national of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Republic of Korea, or the Slovak Republic AND DOES NOT HAVE an electronic passport with an integrated chip;
- Is a national of one of the VWP countries not listed above AND DOES NOT have a machine-readable passport (MRP)(depending on the date the MRP was issued, renewed, or extended, it may also need to contain a digital photograph or an integrated electronic chip);
- Intends to travel by private aircraft or other non-VWP approved air or sea carriers to the United States. Click here to see the approved carriers list;
- Has a criminal record or other condition making them ineligible for a visa (see Classes of Aliens Ineligible for Visas).
- Has been refused admission to the United States before, or did not comply with the conditions of previous VWP admissions (90 days or less stay for tourism or business, etc.).
I was denied a visa on a recent visa application, may I use the VWP?
A recent visa denial for any reason could result in denial of an authorization via ESTA, additional questioning at the port of entry, or denial of admission to the United States. Applicants who are uncertain of whether they qualify for VWP travel may choose to apply for a visa.
What do I need to enter the United States under the VWP?
To request entry into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, travelers must meet the requirements listed in Which travelers may enter the United States using the Visa Waiver Program?. Each VWP traveler must present his/her own valid passport of the appropriate type. See What do I need to know about VWP machine-readable passport (MRP) and e-Passport?, What is a machine-readable passport (MRP)? and What is an e-Passport? for additional details. VWP travelers must also have an authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA and, may be required to present a completed and signed I-94W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record to U.S. officials at the port of entry depending on the airline (DHS is in the process of eliminating the paper form). I-94W forms are free and often provided by travel agents, airlines or cruise ships prior to arrival, but may be picked up and completed on arrival at the U.S. port of entry. Travelers may also be asked to provide evidence of onward travel or other documentation on the purpose of their stay in the United States. Travelers entering through land ports of entry must pay a small land border fee as prescribed in 8 CFR 103.7(b)(1).
What do I need to know about VWP machine-readable passport (MRP) and e-Passport requirements?
All VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present a machine-readable passport. In addition, depending on when VWP travelers’ passports were issued, other passport requirements apply:
- Nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Republic of Korea, and the Slovak Republic require passports with an integrated chip containing the information from the data page (e-Passport).
- Nationals of other VWP countries:
-
- Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06: passports must have integrated chips with information from the data page.
- Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06: passports must have digital photographs printed on the data page or integrated chips with information from the data page.
- Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05: no further requirements.
Notice: Effective July 1, 2009 all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) emergency or temporary passports must be electronic passports (e-Passports) to be eligible for travel to the United States without a visa under the VWP. This includes VWP applicants who present emergency or temporary passports to transit the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection may exercise discretion at the ports of entry for cases in which VWP applicants are traveling for medical or other emergency reasons. A VWP national arriving in the United States with a non-compliant passport, for other than emergency travel reasons, may be detained for further processing and/or denied admission”.
Please refer to the Visa Waiver Program Passport Requirements on the United States CBP website for additional details on passport requirements.
Passports, regardless of the type, must be valid for six months past the expected stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). This is a requirement for all categories of passports - regular, diplomatic, and official - when the traveler is seeking to enter the United States for business or tourist purposes, for a maximum of 90 days.
If you are a traveler from a VWP country and your passport does not meet these requirements, you may want to consider obtaining a new VWP-compliant passport from the passport issuing authority in your country of citizenship. Otherwise you cannot travel under VWP and you must obtain a visa in your valid passport for entry into the United States.
What is a machine-readable passport?
A machine-readable passport has certain biographical data entered on the data page in accordance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Doc 9303, Part 1 Machine-Readable Passports. These standards address issues such as the size of the passport and photograph, arrangement of data fields, and the two lines of printed machine-readable data that appear at the bottom of the page. Machine-readable passports can be read by scanning the two lines of printed data through special readers. Below is an example of how the biographical data page in a machine-readable passport might look:
Travelers should contact their country’s passport issuing agency or authority if they have any doubts related to whether their passport is machine-readable.
What is an e-Passport (or biometric passport)?
An e-Passport incorporates data related to an individual's identity; current ICAO guidelines call for e-Passports to include facial recognition data. The contours of individuals' faces are digitally mapped and stored on the chip so that a comparison of facial data for the bearer of the passport and the facial data of the person to whom the passport was issued can be made. You can readily identify an e-Passport, because it has a unique international symbol on the cover.
What should I know about machine-readable passports and family travel?
Families seeking to enter the United States under the VWP need to obtain an individual machine-readable passport for each traveler, including infants. A machine-readable passport has biographic data for only one traveler in the machine-readable zone. Because of the requirement that passport data be presented in machine-readable format, children included in family or parents' passports may be denied visa-free entry into the United States since only the primary traveler's biographic data is included in the machine-readable zone of the passport.
Entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) – What happens at the port of entry?
Detailed information about admissions and entry to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program can be found on the DHS Customs Border Protection website at Visa Waiver Program and Admission to the United States. VWP travelers are enrolled in the DHS US-VISIT program when they arrive at U.S. ports of entry. 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. Likewise, if the traveler is later found to have violated the conditions of admission under the Visa Waiver Program, they do not have the right to contest a removal order (See the CBP website for additional details.)
Is there a fee to use the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
There is a small land border fee for VWP travelers arriving at land ports of entry. See the CBP website for additional details.
What about Canadian, Mexican or Bermudan citizens and VWP?
Canada, Mexico and Bermuda are not participants in the Visa Waiver Program. The Immigration and Nationality Act includes other provisions for visa-free travel for nationals of Canada and Bermuda under certain circumstances. See Citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. Since they are not part of the Visa Waiver Program, VWP requirements for machine-readable or biometric passports do not apply to nationals of Canada, Mexico or Bermuda. Also, it should be noted that some nationals of Canada and Bermuda traveling to the United States require nonimmigrant visas.
How can I get additional information?
Additional information on the Visa Waiver Program is available from the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection website.
A
step-by-step outline of today's U.S. visa application procedures
1.
If you
have access to the Internet, visit www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov.
This Web site has been created to help you find the
information about current visa policy and procedures quickly
and easily, based on your own situation and circumstance. Whether
you are a student, a sponsor, a tourist, or a business traveler,
this Web site can serve as a useful first stop on your journey.
There
are many different types of visas, and this site can help you
determine which kind you need and how to obtain it. If you do
not have access to the Internet, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate for further information.
2. Make
an appointment to
visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Visa application procedures vary somewhat
among Embassies and Consulates, depending on local needs. In
most countries, you will need to make an appointment. This can
be done by telephone, mail, over the Internet, or in person,
depending on circumstances in your country. Wait times
for appointments may be longer than in the past. Schedule
your appointment as soon as you know you need to travel to the
U.S.
Be
sure to ask what fees are required and
how they can be paid. Application fees are non-refundable and
must be paid before your appointment.
3. Get
all your documentation ready. You
will need:
•
A valid passport
•
Appropriate
applications . These can be obtained through
an Embassy or Consulate or at www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov.
•
Documents
to
support the application detailing employment, reason for travel
and financial status
•
Proof
of payment of fees
Remember,
as in the past, the consular officer may require additional information
or application forms.
If
you are a student applying for a visa to
study in the U.S., talk to the U.S. academic institution
or exchange program sponsoring you to obtain all the forms you
will need to present with
your application.
4.
Submit
your application, passport, and supporting documents to
the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Your
application will then be reviewed by the consular officer and,
in many cases, by officials in Washington, D.C. For most applicants,
the visa is issued within a few weeks. There is no guarantee of
obtaining a visa.
5.
In
some cases, additional reviews will be required. Your
information is submitted and checked in the world's foremost
security database, which includes comprehensive information
drawn from both U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies worldwide.
If your name or a close variation indicates security concerns,
the process will be delayed. Additional steps will vary from
requests for additional interviews and information to official
registration and fingerprinting. This may add at least
4-6 weeks to the processing time.
Registration upon arrival in the United States is mandatory
in many cases but registration can be required in any case regardless
of country of origin. See www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov for the most current information about who is affected by this
requirement.
6. A
visa allows you to travel from your country to a port of entry
in the U.S. In many cases, that port of entry will be the
airport where you land. On the airplane you will be
asked to complete a short arrival/departure form. When
you deplane, follow directions for non-citizen entry. At the airport, a U.S. official will interview
you and verify all of your paperwork.
Once
admitted, you will receive an immigration stamp and
proceed to baggage claim and U.S. Customs.
You
may be informed by the consular office before leaving your country
if you will be subject to special clearance procedures.
Some
travelers may be directed to private workstations in
the arrivals hall, where special registration, photos and electronic
(ink-less) fingerprints will be taken. Additional interviews
and verification processes will also be conducted.
We
want to ensure that the visa application process is straightforward
for people who want to come to the U.S. to study, visit, and conduct
business.
It
is true that some things have changes. Recent events have
required the U.S. to modify and intensify some of its policies
to ensure safety and security. As a nation, the U.S. is
working harder than ever to identify and deny entry to those who
mean harm to our country. Many
things have not changed. The United States of America is
still a nation where diversity is celebrated and people from all
over the world are welcome. Today, we-like most other countries-are
working to keep our borders secure while we maintain the freedom
to exchange ideas, enrich lives and keep businesses thriving.
We
hope you enjoy your visit to the U.S. We look forward to
having you here.
*
FOR
MORE INFORMATION:
It
is important to remember that visa processing and operations can
vary depending on local circumstances.
- Some consulates
require that personal interviews and appointments be scheduled
in advance, and some interview applicants on a walk-in basis
at specific, posted times.
- The time
it takes to process your visa also can vary significantly depending
on type of visa and circumstances in the country or region. Therefore it is important that you contact the closest
U.S. Embassy or Consulate as soon as you know you need to travel
to the U.S.
- Policies
and regulations worldwide will continue to change as new security
measures are put into place. Visit www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov on a regular basis for updates and changes that could affect
your travel plans.
For
a list of Web sites of U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide,
and for comprehensive information about U.S. visa policies and
procedures, please visit www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov.
Entering
the United States
US-VISIT
is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
because it enhances security for our citizens and visitors while
facilitating legitimate travel and trade across our borders. US-VISIT
helps to secure our borders, facilitate the entry and exit process,
and enhance the integrity of the immigration system while respecting
the privacy of our visitors.
US-VISIT
is part of a continuum of security measures that begins overseas
and continues through a visitor's arrival to and departure from
the United States. It incorporates eligibility determinations
made by both the Departments of Homeland Security and State.
In
those cases where a visa is issued by the Department of State,
biometrics such as digital, inkless fingerscans and digital photographs
allow the Department of Homeland Security to determine whether
the person applying for entry to the United States is the same
person who was issued the visa by the Department of State. Additionally,
the biometric and biographic data are checked against watchlists,
improving the Department of Homeland Security's ability to make
admissibility decisions as well as the Department of State's ability
to make visa determinations.
US-VISIT
currently applies to all visitors (with limited exemptions) holding
non-immigrant visas, regardless of country of origin.
By
September 30, 2004, US-VISIT procedures will be expanded to include
visitors traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver
Program (VWP) arriving at air and sea ports of entry.
An
extension is being sought to an October 26, 2004 deadline set
in the Enhanced Border Security Act of 2002 for countries in the
VWP to certify that they have programs in place to issue their
nationals machine-readable passports that incorporate biometric
identifiers that comply with standards established by the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). According to the mandate,
any passport issued on or after October 26, 2004, must be an ICAO-compliant
travel document that uses biometrics, if the bearer applies for
admission into the United States under the VWP. Due
to technical challenges, few countries will be able to meet that
October 26, 2004 deadline. Therefore, a two-year extension is
being requested to make it possible for countries to comply with
this mandate.
On
August 9, 2004 President Bush signed H.R. 4417, which extends
the
deadline by which new passports issued must be biometrically enabled
for one year, to October 26, 2005.
Entry
Procedures
- Many of the entry procedures in
place today at air and seaports remain unchanged and are familiar
to international visitors. When a visitor arrives through
an air or seaport, they are enrolled in US-VISIT as part of
the primary inspection process. Once land border processing
is operational, if the visitor arrives with a visa through a
land border they will be enrolled in US-VISIT at the secondary
inspection area. (This does not initially apply to those Mexicans
who use their Border Crossing Cards for trips under 72 hours
and within the 25-mile border zone.)
- The new, inkless digital "fingerscanner" is easy to use. Visitors first put the left index finger,
then the right index finger on a glass plate that electronically
captures their fingerscans.
- Visitors will also look into a
camera and their digital picture will be taken.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Officers will review travel documents and ask questions about
the visitor's stay in the United States.
- The biometric enhancements to
the entry procedures add minimal time to the process -- an average
of 15 seconds in most cases.
-
Biometric identifiers
also protect our visitors by making it virtually impossible
for anyone else to claim their identity should their biometrically-enhanced
travel documents (such as a visa) be stolen or duplicated.
For more information go to http://www.dhs.gov/ and
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html
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