The United States has released an updated list of countries whose citizens are eligible to travel to the country without first obtaining a visa under its Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).
According to the U.S. Department of State, the programme allows eligible travellers from designated countries to visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without applying for a visa, provided they obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before departure.
Travellers who prefer to have a visa stamp in their passports can still apply for a standard visitor (B) visa.
List Of Countries Eligible For The U.S. Visa Waiver Programme
The U.S. government currently recognises citizens and nationals of 42 countries under the Visa Waiver Programme. The eligible countries are:
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
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
Who Is No Longer Eligible For The U.S. Visa Waiver Programme?
The U.S. Department of State noted that changes introduced under the Visa Waiver Programme Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 significantly tightened eligibility requirements.
Under the updated rules, nationals of Visa Waiver Programme countries who have travelled to or been physically present in North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011 are no longer eligible to use the programme and must instead apply for a standard U.S. visa.
Exceptions apply only to travellers who visited those countries in an official diplomatic or military capacity on behalf of a participating VWP country.
Similarly, individuals who travelled to or were present in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021 are also excluded from the programme, except in limited cases involving official government travel.
The restrictions also extend to dual nationals. Citizens of Visa Waiver Programme countries who also hold citizenship in Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria cannot travel under the VWP and must complete the normal visa application process, regardless of the passport they intend to use.
Travellers who remain eligible must still obtain ESTA approval before boarding any flight or vessel bound for the United States and must comply with all programme conditions, including travelling only for purposes permitted under a visitor visa.
U.S. Visa Processing In Africa
The report also noted that the administration of President Donald Trump recently reduced the number of U.S. embassies and consulates in Africa handling visa applications.
While at least 50 U.S. embassies and consulates previously processed visas across the continent, that number has now been reduced to 20.
Conclusion
The updated Visa Waiver Programme continues to provide citizens of 42 designated countries with visa-free access to the United States for short-term business and tourism visits. However, travellers must still obtain ESTA approval before departure and comply with all programme requirements. The latest eligibility rules also introduce stricter restrictions for individuals with certain travel histories or dual citizenship, meaning many affected travellers will now need to apply for a standard U.S. visa before travelling.
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