What is the Visa Waiver Program of the US?

The Visa Waiver Program [VWP] of the US allows most nationals or citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for purposes of tourism or business for a stay of up to 90 days without the requirement of obtaining a visa for the same.

Countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program

In order to be able to travel to the US through the VWP, the individual must be a national/citizen of any of the VWP designated countries.

The 39 VWP designated countries are –

Andorra	Australia	Austria	Belgium	Brunei	Chile	Czech Republic	Denmark
France	Germany	Greece	Hungary	Iceland	Ireland	Italy	Japan
Liechtenstein	Finland	Lithuania	Luxembourg	Malta	Monaco	Netherlands	New Zealand
Poland	Portugal	San Marino	Singapore	Slovakia	Slovenia	South Korea	Spain
Switzerland	Taiwan	UK	Estonia	Latvia	Norway	Sweden	-

Croatia is expected to soon be joining the list of the VWP eligible countries. With Croatia joining the program, only 3 EU member states – Romania, Cyprus, and Bulgaria – will still remain excluded.

Travelers will also be required to have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization [ESTA] approval before travelling to the US on the VWP.

Those nationals or citizens of VWP countries that would instead prefer having a visa in their passport can apply for a US visitor visa.

Activities permitted while in the US on the VWP

All those activities are permitted while in the US on the VWP that the individual would have otherwise been able to do on a visitor [B] visa for the US.

Activities permitted		Activities not permitted
Business	Consulting with business associates	Study, for credit
	Attending a business convention or conference etc.	Employment
	Attending short-term training [must not include payment by any US source, except for expenses]	Working in information media as foreign press, journalist etc.
	Negotiating a contract	US permanent residence
Tourism	Tourism
	Vacationing
	Visiting friends or relatives
	Medical treatment
	Participation in social events hosted by organizations etc.
	Participation by amateurs in events or contests [not being paid for taking part]
	Enrolment in short recreational course of study, not working towards a degree [such as attending a short class while on vacation]

VWP travelers are also allowed to transit through the US while on their onward journey to other countries.

Requirements

To be able to travel to the US without a visa on the VWP, an individual must fulfil all the requirements –

Travel purpose must be permitted on a US visitor [B] visa

Must be a citizen/national of a VWP designated country

Must have a Valid ESTA

Have the correct type of passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity remaining after date of planned departure from the US an e-passport

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to the USA, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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