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Benefits of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

For those who want to visit the United States without the inconvenience of the visa process, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) offers a viable alternative for citizens of 41 allied countries. This program allows stays of up to 90 days without the need for extensive consular processing.

 

Participating Countries

Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

 

America: Chile.

 

Asia: Australia, Brunei, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

 

Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.

 

Requirements to Travel without Visa

To benefit from the VWP, travelers must meet these requirements:

  • Be a citizen of one of the participating countries.
  • Possess a valid electronic passport.
  • Complete the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) form at least 72 hours before travel.
  • Pay the $14 USD fee for the ESTA form.
  • Plan a stay of no more than 90 days.
  • Have sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of the trip.
  • Not have a criminal record or have been deported from the United States.

 

Important considerations

  • The VWP is not a visa, but rather an electronic travel authorization.
  • Not all citizens of participating countries automatically qualify.
  • Providing accurate information on the ESTA form is crucial.
  • Entry into the United States is not guaranteed; Customs and Border Protection officers have the final say.

For more details, visit the US government's official VWP website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html

 

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