41 countries can now enter the United States without a visa for 90 days or less under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Unfortunately, India is not a part of the list. One may apply for a visitor (B) visa if not eligible for VWP travel. Plus, staying longer than 90 days will anyway require you to apply for a visa.
As for the travellers from the 41 countries on the Visa Waiver Program list, they can skip the US visa as long as they meet all requirements. Among the many eligibility guidelines, nationals from these countries must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), according to the official US Department of State website.
Activities like tourism, vacation, medical treatment, visiting friends or relatives, attending a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference, attending short-term training (you may not be paid by any source in the United States with the exception of expenses incidental to your stay) and negotiating a contract are permitted on Visa Waiver Program.
Even participation of amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests – if not being paid for participating, and enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree are allowed. However, study – for credit, employment, working as foreign press, radio, film, journalists, or other information media and permanent residence in the US are not permitted on the VWP.
Here’s everything you should know about VWP.
Designated country list: Visa Waiver Program
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marrino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom (“To be eligible to travel under the VWP, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man,” states the Travel.State.Gov website.)
Categories not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program
According to the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, certain travellers (despite being nationals – are no longer eligible to travel under the VWP, and so, they must obtain a visa prior to travelling to the country.
Nationals of the countries approved for visa-free US travel who have previously travelled to remained in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, (excluding some exceptions for diplomatic or military purposes) must have a travel visa.
Other nationals of VWP countries excluded from visa-free travel are those who have been to been present in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021. Similar conditions apply those who are nationals of Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria.
What you must have for US travel on Visa Waiver Program
Each traveller must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. According to the State Department, “ESTA is a web-based system operated by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel to the United States for tourism or business under the VWP.” Check the CBP FAQ for updating your ESTA here: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta/frequently-asked-questions-about-visa-waiver-program-vwp-and-electronic-system-travel
The other you must have to travel even though you may be travelling without a visa through VWP is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your departure from the US. On top of that, an e-passport is also needed to use the VWP. The enhanced secure passport has an embedded electronic chip.
“E-Passports must be in compliance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). You can readily identify an e-passport, by a symbol on the cover,” the website says. Those using an emergency or temporary passport also must have an e-passport to enter the US on the VWP.
