Under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), eligible citizens from 43 designated countries are permitted to visit the United States for up to 90 days without needing to apply for a visa, as long as they fulfill specific entry conditions.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, enables citizens of specific countries to visit the United States for up to 90 days without needing a visa, as long as they meet the required conditions. This program is intended for short-term visits related to tourism or business.
In exchange, participating countries are also expected to offer U.S. citizens similar entry privileges, allowing them to visit for business or tourism without a visa for a comparable duration.
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Is Pakistan part of the Visa Waiver Program?
No, Pakistan is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Therefore, Pakistani nationals must obtain a visa before traveling to the United States.
Countries Eligible for 90-Day Visa-Free Entry
Nationals from the following countries are eligible for visa-free entry to the U.S. for up to 90 days:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
Requirements for Visa-Free Entry Under the VWP
- Before departure, travelers must obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
- Visits must be for tourism or business purposes only.
- Only citizens or nationals of countries listed under the VWP are eligible for this entry type.
Passport Requirements for Visa-Free Travel to the U.S.
Travelers looking to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must meet certain passport standards. A passport that does not meet these conditions disqualifies the traveler from visa-free entry. The requirements are as follows:
- The passport should include a machine-readable zone located on the biographical data page.
- It must be an e-passport, which means it carries an embedded digital chip with the passport holder’s biometric information.
Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 – Specific Restrictions
According to legislation introduced in 2015, certain travelers are now required to obtain a visa, even if they are citizens of a VWP-participating country.
These restrictions apply to:
- VWP nationals who have visited North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, unless the purpose of travel was diplomatic or military.
- Citizens of VWP countries who have traveled to Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, for non-diplomatic or non-military reasons.
- Dual nationals of VWP countries and Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.