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Visa Waiver Countries

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established in 1986 with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Not all countries participate in the VWP, and not all travelers from VWP countries are eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are screened prior to admission into the United States, and they are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT program.

As of 30 September 2004, US-VISIT entry and exit procedures expanded to include visitors traveling to the United States under the VWP arriving at airports and seaports. The expansion of US-VISIT to include visitors traveling under the VWP is due to several factors:

• The US-VISIT enrollment process is fast and easy for visitors and works as an added layer of security. Since deploying US-VISIT entry capabilities at 115 airports and 14 seaports on 5 January 2004, US-VISIT has processed millions of people without adversely impacting wait times.
• Congress extended the deadline set in the USA PATRIOT Act for countries in the VWP to certify that they have programs to issue their nationals machine-readable passports that incorporate biometric identifiers, which comply with standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), until 26 October 2005. According to the amended mandate, any passport issued after 26 October 2005 must be an International Civilian Aviation Organization (ICAO)-compliant travel document that uses biometrics if the bearer applies for admission into the United States under the VWP.

It is important to remember that as of March 2005, US-VISIT is enrolling visitors with visas (with limited exceptions) regardless of country of origin. That includes citizens traveling from VWP countries who are required to obtain a visa, such as students. For visitors traveling under the VWP, enrollment in US-VISIT represents minimal changes in their travel experience and does not require them to first obtain a visa for travel to the United States.

The Departments of Homeland Security and State will continue to review and analyze any additional changes that might need to be made and will make considerations at the appropriate time and with all of the appropriate inputs after the 2005 deadline for all countries to require biometrically enhanced passports has lapsed.

The countries currently under the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (for citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).