Immigration Law

New Requirements For Travelers From All Visa Waiver Program Countries

By Robert Kraft

There are 35 countries that are authorized to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP allows citizens or nationals of the authorized countries to travel to the U.S for business or tourism for stays of 90 days or less, without first obtaining a visa.
 
Effective January 12, 2009, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires travelers from all VWP countries to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States. ESTA determines whether a foreign national is eligible to travel under the VWP prior to boarding. If you are traveling under the VWP, it is vital to obtain an approved travel authorization via ESTA. Failure to do so may result in being denied boarding, or denied admission into the United States. Apply for travel authorization at the ESTA Web site to comply with the DHS requirements.

Citizens or nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on January 15, 2009 (boomark / email).