The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the Department of State, allows citizens of 41 countries and territories to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.
In return, these countries and territories must allow US citizens to visit for a similar period of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes.
Statue of Liberty, America's most famous destination
Since its inception in 1986, VWP has grown into a comprehensive security partnership with many of America’s closest allies. VWP uses a multi-layered, risk-based approach to detect and prevent terrorism, serious crime, and more from entering the United States.
This approach also includes comprehensive screening of each VWP traveler before they depart for the United States, upon arrival at U.S. ports of entry, and during any subsequent air travel in the United States.
Citizens of countries and territories that do not require a visa to enter the US include the following European countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, San Marino, United Kingdom.
Next to them are citizens of Asia-Pacific: Australia, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan. Finally, Canada, Chile.
Citizens of the above countries and territories who wish to travel without a visa under the VWP program must obtain an ESTA before boarding an airline or seaplane to the United States. This authorization is valid for two years.
The United States is one of the most popular destinations for international tourists in the world, welcoming 79.4 million visitors in 2019, before the pandemic.
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