Question: What Is the Visa Waiver Program?
Answer:
Definition
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Not all countries participate in the VWP, and not all visitors from VWP countries are eligible for the program.
 
Participating Countries
There are currently 36 countries participating in the VWP:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
 
Exceptions
Canada, Bermuda and Mexico do not participate in the VWP. The Immigration and Nationality Act allows visa-free travel under certain circumstances.
 
Requirements
Currently: Each VWP traveler must present a valid machine-readable passport and a signed I-94W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record to U.S. officials at the port of entry.
Beginning January 12, 2009: Each VWP traveler may travel to the United States under the VWP provided they have an e-passport and an approved authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA™).