Visa Waiver Program

A citizen from any one of the following countries may often enter the U.S. without a visa if he/she is coming for a short visit as a tourist or business visitor. [Activities appropriate for a B-2 or B-1 Visitor.]

A person who enters the U.S. with a visa waiver must normally have an “e-passport” (machine readable passport with an integrated chip containing identification data) or a machine readable passport issued or extended before 10/26/2005, and a return plane ticket. He/she will be admitted to the U.S. for a period up to 90 days. He/she may not extend this period and not change to any other immigration status inside the U.S.

NOTE: Effective on January 12, 2009, travelers must apply on line with ESTA at for this visa waiver before they travel.

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea (South Korea)
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Monaco
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

This list is current as of November 2008. However, countries may be added or deleted at any time.

For more details and current information, see the Department of State website.

November 2008