What Is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and Who Qualifies?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. This program is managed entirely by the U.S. government, and participating countries cannot alter its rules or expand eligibility.
Only citizens of VWP countries can apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) instead of a visa. If you’re unsure whether your country is eligible, check the most recent Visa Waiver Program country list below.
| Andorra | Hungary | New Zealand |
| Australia | Iceland | Norway |
| Austria | Ireland | Portugal |
| Belgium | Italy | San Marino |
| Brunei | Japan | Singapore |
| Chile | Republic of Korea | Slovakia |
| Czech Republic | Latvia | Slovenia |
| Denmark | Liechtenstein | Spain |
| Estonia | Lithuania | Sweden |
| Finland | Luxembourg | Switzerland |
| France | Malta | Taiwan |
| Germany | Monaco | United Kingdom |
| Greece | The Netherlands | Poland |
⚠️ Important: The list of VWP countries can change at any time. Always verify eligibility and your ESTA status before traveling, even if you’ve previously been approved.
ESTA Validity and Travel Rules
An ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first.
You may enter the U.S. multiple times during that period, but each stay must not exceed 90 days.
ESTA can only be used for travel under VWP conditions (tourism, business, transit—not work or study).
Always apply for ESTA in advance and check your approval before each trip.