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ESTA Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization may allow citizens of these countries to enter the United States. You must apply for either a B-1 Business Visa or a B-2 Tourist Visa if you do not have a passport from one of these countries.
APPLY FOR ESTA

Visa Waiver Program General Information

ESTA is an automated system that determines whether you’re eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. It determines if travel is dangerous to law enforcement or a threat to security. The ESTA form is completed by VWP travelers who have applied for a trip to America. DHS administers the VWP. The VWP allows citizens and nationals of certain countries to travel to America for business or tourism for less than 90 days without needing a visa. Additional information is available in the Overview of the Visa Waiver Program. You can submit your online application at the ESTA website. If you are planning to travel to the USA, it is best to apply as soon as possible. You will be asked basic questions about your eligibility and biographical information. This information is not necessary for the I-94W application. While applications may be submitted any time before travel, DHS recommends submitting them 72 hours before departure. ESTA cannot be used for long-term travel. No matter your purpose, you can travel to the United States for up to 90 days.
  • Business
  • Commerce
  • Travel
  • Pleasure
  • Vacation
  • Transit
ESTA cannot be used to search for a job in the USA. Visa Waiver does not allow you to study in the USA.For extended stays of more than 90 days, you will be unable to apply foranESTA visa in the USA.

What is the Visa Waiver Program?

The United States has an agreement in place with certain countries. The ESTA is open to citizens of member countries of the VWP. They can travel to the United States as tourists. You cannot apply if you are not a citizen from a country included in the agreement.

Citizens of 41 countries can travel to the United States to visit their relatives or for business for 90 days or less without a visa. This program was created in 1986 to improve relations between the United States of America and its allies. It eliminates unnecessary travel barriers, encourages the tourism industry, and allows the Department of State’s consular resources to be directed elsewhere.

Visa Waiver-eligible travelers can apply for a United States Visa for up to 90 days, but they are not allowed to continue. There are two requirements for the Visa Waiver Program: a passport and an eligibility requirement. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) has been a pre-departure requirement for visa waiver travelers since January 12, 2009. The United States Travel Authorization does not provide a visa but allows you to travel to the United States to apply for admission.

A Travel Authorization is not required to be approved. Visa Waiver Program Application Guide provides a detailed, easy-to-understand guide that will help you successfully travel to the United States with the Visa Waiver Program.

Visa Waiver Program General Information

The Department of Homeland Security has implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. ESTA’s purpose is to pre-screen all travelers who plan to enter the United States through the Visa Waiver Program. Non-Visa Waiver country citizens cannot enter the United States through this program. They must apply for a visitor visa before they can. It is a good idea to register online for travel to the United States as soon as you can. You don’t need to book a flight or make a hotel reservation in advance. After completing the Travel Authorization registration, the traveler will receive an instant result that indicates whether or not they are permitted to travel to the United States. A Travel Authorization can be used for up to two years unless the passport expires sooner.
  • January 12, 2009: All Visa Waiver Program travelers must register online before entering the United States by air or sea. Travelers who do not have an accepted Travel Authorization are not allowed to board planes or seaplanes bound for the United States.

Travelers on the Visa Waiver Program must have a machine-readable or electronic passport, depending on their nationality. Persons from Visa Waiver Countries must apply in advance for a visitor visa.

The 41 Visa Waiver Program Member Country Countries: Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Israel.

Visa Waiver Program Eligibility: Not all Visa Waiver country citizens are eligible to travel to the United States Visa-free. Some applicants may need to apply for a B-1 Business Visa and a B-2 Tourist visa to visit the United States. The Visa Waiver Information Guide contains additional information.

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