Washington, D.C.— Because of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), citizens of certain countries are expected to find travel to the United States easier starting in 2025. Under the program, eligible participants can access the United States without a traditional visa, though certain conditions and prerequisites still apply.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
As of now, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is managed by the Department of Homeland Security of the United States. It enables certain nationalities to travel to the United States for a maximum of 90 days without undergoing the visa application procedure. It was created a long time ago in an attempt to improve relations with other countries, enhance tourism, and make travel for business easier.
It continues to serve as a significant part of foreign policy, as well as travel policy for the United States. It is still a requirement of the program that travelers apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which must be obtained before travel. It is important to note that while ESTA may be necessary for boarding a plane, its approval does not guarantee entry into the United States.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Eligible Countries – 2025
| Region | Eligible Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe | United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Poland, and others |
| Asia | Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
| Other Regions | Chile, Israel |
Moreover, all the countries that participate share common attributes such as strong security collaboration with the U.S. and are considered high-income economies alongside having diplomatic relations with the U.S.
Conditions Travelers Must Follow
Even with the Visa Waver Program, some restrictions still apply such as the waiver offering visa-free travel: Duration of stay is capped at 90 consecutive days. Approval of ESTA is necessary prior to boarding flights or ships travel to the U.S. Travelers are not permitted to extend their stay or change their immigration status while inside the U.S. Entry is reserved strictly for tourism, business, or transit. Employment and long-term studies are not permitted. It is advised that travelers obtain their ESTA at least 72 hours prior to departure in order to avoid last minute issues.
Why Some Countries Are Not Eligible
The reasoning is usually bilateral relations with the U.S. Countries not part on the list of eligibility are on the list due to security risks or high visa overstay rate, lack of reciprocal bilateral travel agreements. Eligible countries are subject to continuous scrutiny and thus the list can change based on international relations. The Visa Waver Program still significantly impacts international travel to the U.S. Even though it simplifies access for millions of travelers, officials emphasize that border security policies are still effective, as every traveler is inspected by U.S.