Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?

Currently, 34 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom*.

Eligible nationals of new member countries (in bold) must obtain an ESTA prior to travel to the United States. They must also have an electronic, or e-Passport. Citizens of the new member countries who do not have an e-Passport must obtain a visa. There is no change to the requirements for existing VWP countries.

• More information
• Passport requirements

* Only United Kingdom passports notated with “British Citizens” and/or “with unrestricted right of abode in the United Kingdom” are eligible for VWP admission. Holders of passports indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas National or British National (Overseas) do not qualify for the VWP.

What are the other requirements of the Visa Waiver Program?

Citizens of the above countries may use the VWP if:

• Traveling for business meetings or pleasure (not on federal government business or as members of the media). Transit through the United States is generally permitted, if the total time in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands is less than 90 days.
• Staying in the U.S. for less than 90 days (this includes time spent in Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands)
• Traveling on an unexpired machine-readable passport (MRP)
• Depending on when VWP travelers' passports were issued, other passport requirements will apply:
  • Machine-readable passport (MRP) issued before 26 October 2005 - no further requirements
  • MRP issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 - digitized photograph on data page or integrated chip with information from the data page
  • MRP issued on or after 26 October 2006 - integrated chip with information from the data page (note: Australian passports issued in Australia from 2006 onwards comply with this requirement)
• They have complied with the conditions of previous admissions under the Visa Waiver Program, and have not been found ineligible for a U.S. visa.
• If arriving by air or sea, they are traveling on an approved commercial carrier and have a return trip ticket to a foreign destination other than the U.S. or adjacent islands.
• If arriving by land, they can demonstrate the intent to stay 90 days or less in the U.S. and sufficient funds to support themselves in the U.S.
• VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and 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.
• They do not have a criminal record.

I forgot to hand in my green departure record (form I-94W) when I departed the United States. What should I do with it?

Please mail your I-94 Departure Record directly to the following address:

DHS-CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
U.S.A.

Please keep a copy of what you sent and take it with you next time when you enter the U.S. For more information see the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

What else do I have to do when I depart from the United States?

Generally the U.S. does not have mandatory exit controls. However the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is currently testing US-VISIT exit procedures at 12 major airports and 3 seaports. If you leave from one of these ports, you are required to confirm your departure. Your check out will include the scanning of your visa or passport and repeating the simple inkless fingerscanning process for first your left index finger and then your right index finger. A workstation attendant will be available if you need assistance. The exit confirmation will be added to your travel records to demonstrate compliance with the terms of your admission. Ultimately, most foreign visitors will be required to check out before leaving the United States. For more information on which ports are currently involved in this program, please see the page at the Department of Homeland Security's website.

What if I enter on the Visa Waiver Program and then decide I want to stay longer than the 90 days?

You cannot extend the time on the Visa Waiver Program. The 90 days also includes any time spent in Canada, Mexico and adjacent Islands. Therefore you cannot cross the border into these areas and then return for another 90 days. You can however ask for re-entry on the Visa Waiver Program if you have left the Continent.

Do Australians need 6 months validity on their passport?

No.

How do I know if my passport is machine readable and biometric?

You should consult the issuing authority in order to determine if your passport is machine readable and biometric. For more information, read more about machine readable passports.

Am I allowed to visit the United States after I've been to Cuba?

Entry (even with a valid visa) is determined by U.S. Immigration officials at the port of entry. You may wish to take supporting documents about the purpose of your trip.

Can I visit Micronesia on the Visa Waiver Program?

The U.S. government is no longer responsible for immigration matters in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), but as a guide, Australian citizens are generally admitted visa-free for a stay of 30 days. Upon arrival visitors must present a completed 'FSM Immigration Arrival and Departure Record' which is given out by the carrier prior to arrival. Travelers wishing to stay in Micronesia longer than 30 days must also complete an entry permit. Visitors must demonstrate the ability to travel onwards from the FSM and to leave the FSM at the end of the visit. Please see the visit FSM website for further information.

What are the signatory carriers for the VWP?

If arriving in the U.S. by air or sea, to meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must arrive aboard a carrier, known as a signatory carrier, which has signed an agreement guaranteeing to transport you out of the United States if you are found to be inadmissible or deportable.

Please visit the State Department website to find a list of signatory carriers.

When does a national of a VWP country need a visa instead of using VWP?

Travelers who do not meet the above conditions must apply for a visa and may not use the VWP. If they attempt to travel visa-free they risk being refused entry into the United States. In particular, a visa must be requested if the traveler:

• Wants to remain in the U.S. for longer than 90 days, or wishes to change status (from tourism to student, etc.) once in the U.S.
• Wants to work or study in the United States, wants to come to the U.S. for other purposes not allowed on a visitor visa, or intends to immigrate to the U.S.
• Does not have a machine-readable passport (MRP) meeting one of the conditions outlined above.
• Intends to travel by private aircraft or other non-signatory air or sea carriers to the U.S.
• Has been refused a visa or admission to the U.S. before, has been deported, or did not comply with the conditions of previous VWP admissions.
• Has a criminal record (particularly those involved with drugs)
• Has a communicable disease (including HIV/AIDS) or other condition making them ineligible for a visa.

What is a machine-readable passport? What is an e-passport (or biometric passport)?

A machine-readable passport has certain biographical data entered on the data page in accordance with international standards. A key feature is the two lines of printed machine-readable data that appear at the bottom of the page. Australian passports issued in Australia from 2006 onwards comply with requirements for biometric passports.

Travelers should contact their country's passport issuing agency or authority if they have any doubts related to whether their passport is machine-readable. Useful information about passports from particular countries, including temporary passports, can also be found on the Department of State's webpage on VWP.

Are all VWP countries now issuing e-passports to their citizens?

The vast majority are and many have been for some time. However, a few countries offer their citizens a choice of either an e-passport or a traditional passport, if they are still in production.

My children are included in my machine-readable passport. Can I use the VWP?

Families seeking to enter the U.S. under the VWP need to obtain an individual machine-readable passport for each traveler, including infants, as machine-readable passports typically have biographic data for only one traveler in the machine-readable zone. Thus, children included in family or parents' passports may be denied visa-free entry into the U.S. since only the primary traveler's biographic data is included in the passport's machine-readable zone.

I am not sure if the purpose of my trip falls under the VWP.

If in doubt, travelers should check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate to verify that what they plan to do is considered tourism or business.

I am transiting through the U.S. on my way to another country. Can I use VWP?

Yes, as long as your total stay in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands is less than 90 days, and you meet the other VWP requirements. You can use the VWP if, for instance, you are transiting the U.S. on a journey between Australia and Europe.

However if for example you are transiting the U.S. on the way to a 6 month stay in Canada, you cannot use the VWP, as your total time in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands will be over 90 days. In this case you should apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, or a transit visa.

Can I visit Guam on the Visa Waiver Program?

The Guam Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of eligible countries to make a temporary visit to Guam provided that they:

• Visit for business or pleasure for a period of not more than 15 days;
• Travel aboard a signatory carrier
• Have a round-trip, nonrefundable, and nontransferable ticket;
• Have a completed and signed Form I-736, Guam Visa Waiver Information;
• Are not traveling onward to another destination in the United States;
• Do not apply for an extension of stay, adjustment of status or change of non-immigrant status

The following countries are eligible for the Guam Visa Waiver Program: Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan (only authorized for citizens and residents arriving directly from Taiwan or arriving on a flight from Taiwan which stopped in Saipan en route, must possess a Taiwan National Identity Card), United Kingdom (including British National Overseas), Vanuatu, and Western Samoa.

For further information please see the Guam tourism site.

I am going to the U.S. on an exchange visitor (J) visa. Can I transfer to the VWP without leaving the U.S. when my J visa expires, so I can travel around the country?

No, you cannot change to the VWP from any other visa category while you are in the U.S. You can only be admitted to the VWP on arrival in the U.S.

I have entered the U.S. on the VWP but now find I need to stay longer than the 90 days. Can I transfer to another type of visa without leaving the U.S.?

No, you cannot transfer from the VWP to any other type of visa, and you cannot extend the VWP 90 day admission period. You must leave the U.S., Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands within the VWP 90 day admission period, and either apply for a visa relevant to your new situation, or re-enter on the VWP if your next stay will be less than 90 days and you still meet the other requirements. Re-entering on the VWP is however at the discretion of immigration officials at the port of entry, who can deny admission.

Can I extend the 90 day limit of the Visa Waiver Program?

No, the 90 day period of admission is not extendable.

Is there a limit to how many times I can enter the U.S. on the VWP? Must there be a minimum period between one period of travel on the VWP and the next?

No, but entry or re-entry into the United States is at the discretion of immigration officials at the port of entry.

If I travel to Canada or Mexico, can I re-enter the U.S on the VWP, and if so does the 90 days then start again?

VWP travelers who have been admitted to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program and 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. They do not, however, get a new 90 day admission period.

I am a journalist traveling to the U.S. for work. Can I travel under VWP?

Foreign media representatives planning to engage in that vocation in the U.S. are not eligible, as the purpose for their stay does not qualify as "business". These professionals must obtain a non-immigrant media (I) visa.

Does my passport need to be valid for more than 6 months to use the VWP?

Australian passports are exempt from this rule (so are New Zealand and British passports, among others. See the State Department's webpage on the VWP for the full list.

I was arrested/convicted of a crime years ago. Can I use the VWP?

ESTA will assess your eligibility for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The assessment includes questions regarding previous arrests and/or convictions. If you have been arrested for or charged with a crime, including offences involving drink driving or the use of a controlled substance, you may require a U.S. visa and, in some cases, a waiver of ineligibility. If you choose to apply for electronic travel authorization via ESTA, the system will advise you whether you must visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a visa. For further details on ESTA and to see if you are eligible for the VWP please refer to the ESTA website.

I had a drink driving charge. Do I need a visa?

ESTA will assess your eligibility for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The assessment includes questions regarding previous arrests and/or convictions. If you have been arrested for or charged with a crime, including offences involving drink driving or the use of a controlled substance, you may require a U.S. visa and, in some cases, a waiver of ineligibility. If you choose to apply for electronic travel authorization via ESTA, the system will advise you whether you must visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a visa. For further details on ESTA and to see if you are eligible for the VWP please refer to the ESTA website.

I am HIV positive. Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?

Applicants who are HIV positive are not eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program, and must acquire a visa in order to travel to the United States.

On October 6, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the HIV Waiver Authorization Final Rule, which allows U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad to issue visas on a case-by-case basis to certain HIV positive applicants without seeking waiver authorization from DHS. In addition to the other forms required for a visa application, HIV positive applicants applying for admission into the United States, for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, must read and sign form DS-5512, which outlines eligibility requirements for this streamlined processing. Form DS-5512 is available from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the time of interview.

For further information please see the Department of Homeland Security website.

How do I apply for the VWP?

There is no application process as such. VWP travelers must present a completed and signed I-94W Non-Immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record to U.S. officials at the port of entry. I-94W forms are free and often provided by airlines or cruise ships prior to arrival, but may be picked up and completed on arrival at the U.S. port of entry.

As of January 12, 2009, all travelers entering the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an Electronic System for Travel Authorization for Visa Waiver Travel (ESTA) prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship.

What is a “Signatory Carrier”?

To meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) when arriving to the U.S. by air or sea, you must travel via a "signatory carrier" which has signed an agreement guaranteeing to transport you out of the United States if you are found to be inadmissible or deportable. Most commercial carriers that fly from Australia to the U.S. are signatory carriers. Please see the State Department website for a full list of signatory carriers.

How Do I Enter the United States Using the VWP?

You must be a national of a participating country (please see “Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program?”) and satisfy the eligibility requirements as listed above (please see “What are the other requirements of the Visa Waiver Program?”).

If entering the U.S. by sea or air, you must travel on a signatory carrier. The VWP permits arrivals from Mexico and Canada at land border ports-of-entry. The documentary requirements are the same, except there is no requirement for round-trip tickets and signatory carriers, as there are no carriers involved. You must satisfy the inspecting officer that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and to depart the United States. If you enter at a land port-of-entry you must complete and sign the Form I-94W, Non-Immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form and pay the land border fee (currently USD 6.00) and you must be admissible to the United States as a non-immigrant.

Is there any additional documentation which I should carry at the time of travel?

A temporary visitor for business or tourism will need to supply documentation to establish that he or she:

• Has a residence abroad which he or she does not intend to abandon
• Is coming to the U.S. for a definite temporary period
• Will depart upon the conclusion of the visit
• Has permission to enter a foreign area after his or her stay in the U.S.
• Has access to sufficient funds to cover expenses of the visit and return passage