What is the Visa Waiver Program?


esta visa waiver program
Because of the US Visa Waiver Program nationals of currently 38 countries and territories do not need a visa to travel to the United States for business or pleasure for up to 90 days.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is aimed to ease travel and also to promote business between the United States and VWP nations. As a reciprocation these nations are obliged to make travel easy for US citizens. 

Countries under the Visa Waiver Program

Currently (May 2018) 38 nations and territories are part of this program
  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Chile
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom

History of the Visa Waiver Program 

This program started in 1986 with an aim of promoting tourism and business with friendly nations. A VWP status is desired by nations and there have been numerous cases of lobbying for being included in this program. 
After 9/11 the application process became stringent and now people are required to apply for an online ESTA approval as a precondition to entry to the US. 
You can apply for ESTA online on the official website of the US Department of Homeland Security or also much easily with trusted ESTA application third party websites.

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