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| The '''Visa Waiver Program (VWP)''' is a program of the ] which allows ]s of specific countries to ] to the US for ] or ] for up to 90 ]s without having to obtain a ]. | The '''Visa Waiver Program (VWP)''' is a program of the ] which allows ]s of specific countries to ] to the US for ] or ] for up to 90 ]s without having to obtain a ]. | ||
| ==History== | |||
| The visa waiver program was introduced in 1986. | |||
| ==Eligible countries== | |||
| As of ], 27 countries participate in this program: | As of ], 27 countries participate in this program: | ||
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| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] (See remark) | * ] (See remark) | ||
| Persons must be citizens of the country in question in order to travel. ] of eligible nations do not qualify unless they hold an eligible passport. | |||
| Countries with the ] (]) designation are required to have MRPs as of ], ]. All others need to issue MRPs as of ], ]. | Countries with the ] (]) designation are required to have MRPs as of ], ]. All others need to issue MRPs as of ], ]. | ||
| ==British passport holders== | ===British passport holders=== | ||
| Only British Citizens are eligible for the program. British National (Overseas) and other British passport holders (except most persons from Bermuda) need a visa to visit the United States. | Only British Citizens are eligible for the program. British National (Overseas) and other British passport holders (except most persons from Bermuda) need a visa to visit the United States. | ||
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| British National (Overseas) passport holders do not need visas to visit ]. See ] for details regarding various kinds of United Kingdom passports. | British National (Overseas) passport holders do not need visas to visit ]. See ] for details regarding various kinds of United Kingdom passports. | ||
| ==Requirements for the visa waiver program== | |||
| Persons holding ] or ] in the ] are not eligible for the visa waiver scheme unless their nationality qualifies. | |||
| The requirements for the visa waiver program are: | |||
| * possession of a ] with each traveller holding an individual passport (including children) | |||
| If entering the U.S. by air or sea, additional requirements apply: | |||
| * travelling on a participating commercial carrier | |||
| * holding a valid return or onward ticket. Where ticket terminates in ], ], ] or an island in the Caribbean, the traveller must be a legal resident of that country or territory. | |||
| Those who do not meet the requirements for the visa-waiver scheme must obtain a U.S. tourist visa from an American Embassy or Consulate. | |||
| ==Canadians and Bermudians== | ==Canadians and Bermudians== | ||
| Canadian citizens and ] from ] are also admitted to the United States without requiring tourist visas, but under different legislation to the Visa Waiver program. | Canadian citizens and ] from ] are also admitted to the United States without requiring tourist visas, but under different legislation to the Visa Waiver program. | ||
| Prior to 17 March 2003, ] who were citizens of ] countries or ] could be admitted to the U.S. on the same basis as Canadian citizens. This concession has been withdrawn. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 03:53, 20 February 2006
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program of the United States of America which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.
History
The visa waiver program was introduced in 1986.
Eligible countries
As of 2004, 27 countries participate in this 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
- United Kingdom (See remark)
Persons must be citizens of the country in question in order to travel. Permanent residents of eligible nations do not qualify unless they hold an eligible passport.
Countries with the MRP (machine-readable passport) designation are required to have MRPs as of October 1, 2003. All others need to issue MRPs as of October 26, 2005.
British passport holders
Only British Citizens are eligible for the program. British National (Overseas) and other British passport holders (except most persons from Bermuda) need a visa to visit the United States.
British National (Overseas) passport holders do not need visas to visit Guam. See British Nationality Law for details regarding various kinds of United Kingdom passports.
Requirements for the visa waiver program
The requirements for the visa waiver program are:
- possession of a Machine-Readable Passport with each traveller holding an individual passport (including children)
If entering the U.S. by air or sea, additional requirements apply:
- travelling on a participating commercial carrier
- holding a valid return or onward ticket. Where ticket terminates in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or an island in the Caribbean, the traveller must be a legal resident of that country or territory.
Those who do not meet the requirements for the visa-waiver scheme must obtain a U.S. tourist visa from an American Embassy or Consulate.
Canadians and Bermudians
Canadian citizens and British Overseas Territories citizens from Bermuda are also admitted to the United States without requiring tourist visas, but under different legislation to the Visa Waiver program.
Prior to 17 March 2003, Canadian permanent residents who were citizens of Commonwealth countries or Ireland could be admitted to the U.S. on the same basis as Canadian citizens. This concession has been withdrawn.