The US Visa Waiver Program

There are about 35 countries whose nationals are not required to secure a visitor visa when entering the United States of America. These countries are under what is called the “Visa Waiver Program”. What is this program that allows certain countries the privilege to travel as visitors in and out of the US without having to apply for a visitor visa? How does a country become a part of this program?

The US VISA Waiver Program was established in 1986 taking the goal of allowing free flowing visitors in the US to boosts its tourism industry without the difficulty of obtaining visas. Nationals of these countries are allowed to travel under B visa or visitor visa purposes only with 90 days or less allowed period of stay, Countries that have joined the US Visa Waiver Program are very limited due to the eligibility requirements needed in order to be eligible under the program.

Nationals of a country that is part of the US Visa Waiver Program are still not guaranteed to partake in this program. There are still some requirements which are required for each national to become eligible travelers using this program. For one, they should have an authorization to travel under this program through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Another requirement is that the purpose of the stay should fall under business or tourism. There must also be adequate funds to finance the visit. These and other requirements are necessary for a foreign national to become eligible under this program.

Here are the 35 countries currently under the US Visa Waiver Program:

  1. Andorra
  2. Iceland
  3. Norway
  4. Australia
  5. Ireland
  6. Portugal
  7. Austria
  8. Italy
  9. San Marino
  10. Belgium
  11. Japan
  12. Singapore
  13. Brunei
  14. Latvia
  15. Slovakia
  16. Czech Republic
  17. Liechtenstein
  18. Slovenia
  19. Denmark
  20. Lithuania
  21. South Korea
  22. Estonia
  23. Luxembourg
  24. Spain
  25. Finland
  26. Malta
  27. Sweden
  28. France
  29. Monaco
  30. Switzerland
  31. Germany
  32. the Netherlands
  33. United Kingdom
  34. Hungary
  35. New Zealand

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