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Everything about Visa Waiver Programme Explained

A Visa Waiver Program is a program introduced in 1986 which allows citizens of selected countries to travel to the United States for business and tourism purposes for up to 90 days without carrying a visa. Likewise, those specific member countries will allow nationals of the United States to visit their countries for similar timespan and purposes without obtaining a visa.

Keep scrolling to learn more about it!

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Which Countries Are Members of the Visa Waiver Program?

Go through the following list that specifies member countries of Visa Waiver Programs:

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

Note: British nationals must enjoy an absolute right of permanent abode in Scotland, England, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and Northern Ireland to qualify to visit member countries under the Visa Waiver Program.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria of the Visa Waiver Program?

Individuals planning to visit the United States must fulfil the eligibility criteria of VWP:

Must be a citizen of a member country
Should receive authorisation from ESTA
Hold an electronic passport.
The staying period in the United States is 90 days.
Planning to visit the United States for tourism like visiting relatives, vacation etc. and business purposes such as attending a conference and consulting business associates. Alternatively, visit other destinations by commuting through the United States.
Citizens must carry a return ticket if they are travelling to the U.S. via air or sea route. Additionally, individuals with onward tickets who are willing to disembark at Caribbean Island, Canada, Bermuda, or Mexico must be residents of these countries.

Who Is Not Eligible Under the Visa Waiver Program?

Here are the following conditions under which individuals cannot visit the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program:

Travellers with criminal records suffering from severe communicable diseases and citizens who have been rejected to enter the United States or previously overstayed under VWP are not eligible to travel to the U.S. under this program.
According to the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, travellers who are also citizens of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, North Korea, and or Syria do not qualify to visit the U.S. under VWP. Or else, citizens who have travelled or are present in Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, or Yemen on or after 1st March 2011, except for military or diplomatic purposes to serve a member country of VWP, do not qualify to travel visa-free as per the Act.
Citizens who committed insignificant traffic offences which did lead to an arrest may visit the U.S., given they meet the other criteria mentioned above.

What Are the Passport Specifications & Other Criteria Under VWP?

Take a look at the following specifications of passports and additional criteria that travellers need to fulfil:

A machine-readable passport. If an applicant does not possess a passport with this feature, he or she must acquire a new qualifying passport or else apply for a visa.
Effective from 1st April 2016, an applicant must own an e-Passport equipped with an electronic chip that includes his or her biometric details.
All passports should have a digital photograph of a bearer. If a digital photograph is not printed on a passport, a citizen can travel when his or her country joined VWP before 2008. Moreover, they own a machine-readable passport issued before 26th October 2005. Elsewise, applicants must possess an e-Passport, equipped with a digital chip, digital photograph, and other biometric data. If this passport is issued on or after 26th October 2005, they need to acquire a visa.

What Happens If the ESTA of an Applicant Is Revoked?

It is essential to note that being a part of the Visa Waiver Program's member country does not imply that an applicant is directly eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa.

Citizens should receive an authorisation through ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation before visiting the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection operates this web-based system to assess the eligibility of individuals to visit the United States for tourism or business purposes under this VWP.

If a citizen gets an email that his or her ESTA has been refused, he or she cannot travel visa-free under VWP. However, a non-immigrant visa holder can visit the U.S. without receiving ESTA.

Can Travellers Extend Staying Period or Change Status Under VWP?

Citizens travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program cannot extend their staying period in the U.S. beyond the stated admission period. Additionally, travellers visiting the United States under VWP cannot change their status in the U.S.

Individuals planning to visit the United States visa-free must keep all these pointers about the Visa Waiver Program to avoid hassles later.

Frequently Asked Questions

All

What is the validity of ESTA received under the Visa Waiver Program?

The validity of the ESTA received under the Visa Waiver Program is two years or till an applicant's passport expires, whichever is earlier.

Can a citizen opt to travel under VWP to study in the United States?

Individuals planning to study in the United States and envision staying there for more than 90 days are not entitled to travel to the U.S. without a visa.

Can a traveller check their status of ESTA?

Yes, a citizen can check their status of ESTA on the official portal of CBP or U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Important Articles about Visa Processes

Reason for Visa Rejection

F1 Visa Interview Questions & Answers

H4 Visa Interview Questions & Answers

How to Check UAE Visa Status

UK Visa Application Status

H1B Visa Interview Questions

Schengen Visa Interview Questions & Answers

How to Apply for H-1B Visa

How to Apply for J1 Visa

L1 Visa Interview Questions & Answers

B1 B2 Visa Interview Questions & Answers

L2 Visa Interview Questions & Answers

Diplomatic Visa in India

Immigrant and Non-immigrant Visas

Types of Schengen Visa

Types of UK Visas

What is VEVO

What Is UAE Golden Visa

Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

What is Visa Waiver Program

What are Indian Visa Fees

Spain Golden Visa

What is Golden Visa

Golden Visa in Germany

Types of Australia Visa

Indian E-Tourist Visa

Indian Visa Application

What is Indian E-Tourist Visa

How to Apply for Visa in India

What is E-Visa

e-Visa Countries for Indians

How to Check Visa Status

Difference between OCI vs PIO

Disclaimer -

Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions mentioned in your policy schedule and policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.

The information mentioned here about the countries, visa fees and others is taken from different sources. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the same before you book your tickets, apply for a visa, buy a travel policy or make any other decision.

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