Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to be admitted to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. A person who enters on the VWP is not eligible for an extension of status or for a change of status.
All VWP travelers must present a machine-readable passport (MRP) valid for six months past their expected stay in the U.S.
- Machine-readable passports (MRP) issued before October 26, 2005 have no further requirements
- Machine-readable passports issued on or after October 26, 2005 must contain biometric identifiers.
Arriving and Requesting Entry
If arriving by air or sea, individuals must have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination other than the U.S. or adjacent islands or, if arriving by land, individuals must demonstrate the intent to stay 90 days or less and have sufficient funds to support themselves in the U.S.
VWP travelers admitted under VWP who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the U.S. under the VWP for the original admission period.
To request entry to the U.S. under VWP, at the port of entry the traveler must:
- Obtain travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization*
- Present a machine-readable passport (MRP)
- Present a completed and signed I-94W (green form). This form is often provided by travel agents or airlines prior to arrival and may be picked up on arrival at a U.S. port of entry. If any of the questions on the reverse side are answered "yes", a visa is needed.
- Present documentation on the purpose of the stay
- Pay a land border fee when entering through a land port of entry
Disadvantages
There are several disadvantages to consider with the Visa Waiver Program. An individual on VWP does not have the ability to change or extend status, nor does the person have the right to a review or appeal, if access is denied. VWP visitors also forfeit right to contest a removal order. Employment is not permitted but academic honoraria and payments for associated incidental expenses for usual academic activity lasting not longer than 9 days are allowed.
Travel Authorization
All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) participants are required to obtain travel authorization prior to coming to the United States. This authorization can be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA™), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). There will not be a fee for using the ESTA. Visitors need to apply at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. More information and background about this new requirement can be found at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/.