The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, when they meet. Quick Overview The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of the 36 visa waiver countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 day visa-free.Visa Waiver Program | Canberra, Australia. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the U. K., to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 9. Under the VWP, time spent in Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands counts towards the maximum of 9. Q: Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)? A: Currently, 3. 7 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom*. Eligible nationals of all member countries must obtain an ESTA prior to travel to the United States. They must also have a passport that meets the requirements outlined below.* Only United Kingdom passports notated with “British Citizens” and/or “with unrestricted right of abode in the United Kingdom” are eligible for VWP admission. Holders of passports indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas National or British National (Overseas) do not qualify for the VWP. Q: What are the other requirements of the Visa Waiver Program? A: Citizens of the above countries may use the VWP if: Traveling for business meetings or pleasure (not on federal government business or as members of the media).
Transit through the United States is generally permitted, if the total time in the U. S., Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands is less than 9. Staying in the U. S. for less than 9. Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands)Traveling on an unexpired machine- readable passport (MRP)Depending on when VWP travelers' passports were issued, other passport requirements will apply. Machine- readable passport (MRP) issued before 2. October 2. 00. 5 - no further requirements. MRP issued between 2. October 2. 00. 5 and 2. October 2. 00. 6 - digitized photograph on data page or integrated chip with information from the data page. MRP issued on or after 2. October 2. 00. 6 - integrated chip with information from the data page (note: Australian passports issued in Australia from 2. They have complied with the conditions of previous admissions under the Visa Waiver Program, and have not been found ineligible for a U. S. visa. If arriving by air or sea, they are traveling on an approved commercial carrier and have a return trip ticket to a foreign destination other than the U. S. or adjacent islands. If arriving by land, they can demonstrate the intent to stay 9. U. S. and sufficient funds to support themselves in the U. S. VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the U. S. under the VWP for the original admission period. They do not have a criminal record. Q: How Do I Enter the United States Using the VWP? A: You must be a national of a participating country and satisfy the eligibility requirements as listed above (please see “What are the other requirements of the Visa Waiver Program?”). If entering the U. S. by sea or air, you must travel on a signatory carrier. The VWP permits arrivals from Mexico and Canada at land border ports- of- entry. The documentary requirements are the same, except there is no requirement for round- trip tickets and signatory carriers, as there are no carriers involved. You must satisfy the inspecting officer that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and to depart the United States. If you enter at a land port- of- entry you must complete and sign the Form I- 9. W, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form and pay the land border fee (currently USD 6. United States as a nonimmigrant. Please note, ESTA approval may not be required when arriving by land into the United States. This is ultimately at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry. Q: What is a “Signatory Carrier”? A: To meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) when arriving to the U. S. by air or sea, you must travel via a "signatory carrier" which has signed an agreement guaranteeing to transport you out of the United States if you are found to be inadmissible or deportable. Most commercial carriers that fly from Australia to the U. S. are signatory carriers. Please see the State Department website for a full list of signatory carriers. Q: I forgot to hand in my departure record (form I- 9. W) when I departed the United States. What should I do with it? A: Instructions for returning your I- 9. For more information see the U. S. Customs and Border Protection website. Q: What else do I have to do when I depart from the United States? A: Generally the U. S. does not have mandatory exit controls. However the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is currently testing US- VISIT exit procedures at 1. If you leave from one of these ports, you are required to confirm your departure. Your check out will include the scanning of your visa or passport and repeating the simple inkless fingerscanning process for first your left index finger and then your right index finger. A workstation attendant will be available if you need assistance. The exit confirmation will be added to your travel records to demonstrate compliance with the terms of your admission. Ultimately, most foreign visitors will be required to check out before leaving the United States. For more information on which ports are currently involved in this program, please see the page at the Department of Homeland Security's website. Q: What if I enter on the Visa Waiver Program and then decide I want to stay longer than the 9. A: You cannot extend the time on the Visa Waiver Program. The 9. 0 days also includes any time spent in Canada, Mexico and adjacent Islands. Therefore you cannot cross the border into these areas and then return for another 9. You can however ask for re- entry on the Visa Waiver Program if you have left the continent. Q: I am transiting through the U. S. on my way to another country. Can I use VWP? A: Yes, as long as your total stay in the U. S., Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands is less than 9. VWP requirements. You can use the VWP if, for instance, you are transiting the U. S. on a journey between Australia and Europe. However if for example you are transiting the U. S. on the way to a 6 month stay in Canada, you cannot use the VWP, as your total time in the U. S., Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands will be over 9. In this case you should apply for a B- 1/B- 2 visitor visa, or a transit visa. Q: Can I visit Guam on the Visa Waiver Program? A: Both the VWP and the new Guam- CNMI Visa Waiver Program allow eligible citizens to make a temporary visit to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) provided that they: Visit for business or pleasure for a period of not more than 4. Travel aboard a signatory carrier. Have a round- trip, nonrefundable, and nontransferable ticket. Have a completed and signed Form I- 7. Guam Visa Waiver Information. Do not apply for an extension of stay, adjustment of status or change of nonimmigrant status. The following countries are eligible for the Guam- CNMI VWP: Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong*, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom (Citizens of Hong Kong now require a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport and Hong Kong identification for admission). The following countries are no longer eligible for the Guam- CNMI VWP: Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Western Samoa. Visitors who are not eligible for either the VWP or the Guam- CNMI VWP must possess a valid passport and U. S. visa. For further information please see the Guam tourism site and the Customs and Border Protection Site. Q: Am I allowed to visit the United States after I've been to Cuba? A: Entry (even with a valid visa) is determined by U. S. Immigration officials at the port of entry. You may wish to take supporting documents about the purpose of your trip. Q: Can I visit Micronesia on the Visa Waiver Program? A: The U. S. government is no longer responsible for immigration matters in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), but as a guide, Australian citizens are generally admitted visa- free for a stay of 3. Upon arrival visitors must present a completed 'FSM Immigration Arrival and Departure Record' which is given out by the carrier prior to arrival. Travelers wishing to stay in Micronesia longer than 3. Visitors must demonstrate the ability to travel onwards from the FSM and to leave the FSM at the end of the visit. Please see the visit FSM website for further information. Q: When does a national of a VWP country need a visa instead of using VWP? A: Travelers who do not meet the above conditions must apply for a visa and may not use the VWP. If they attempt to travel visa- free they risk being refused entry into the United States. In particular, a visa must be requested if the traveler: Wants to remain in the U. S. for longer than 9. U. S. Wants to work or study in the United States, wants to come to the U. S. for other purposes not allowed on a visitor visa, or intends to immigrate to the U. S. Does not have a machine- readable passport (MRP) meeting one of the conditions outlined above. Intends to travel by private aircraft or other non- signatory air or sea carriers to the U. S. Has been refused a visa or admission to the U. S. before, has been deported, or did not comply with the conditions of previous VWP admissions. Has a criminal record (particularly those involved with drugs)Has a communicable disease or other condition making them ineligible for a visa. Q: What is a machine- readable passport? What is an e- passport (or biometric passport)?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2016
Categories |