Other Nonimmigrant Visas (NIV)
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
This program permits foreign nationals of certain countries to enter the United States as visitors (business or pleasure) without a visa. Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the VWPP: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.
There are several restrictions for VWPP participants, including the following:
A 90-day maximum period of stay, with no opportunity to extend or change status once in the United States (with certain exceptions). Also, if a participant in the VWPP departs the United States to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or most of the Caribbean islands during his/her visit to the United States, he or she may reenter the United States but only up to the original 90-day limit.
The VWPP participant has no right to appeal an immigration officer’s determination of admissibility. He or she also waives the right to contest an order of removal.
Please note that the VWPP has expired but that legislation is currently pending in Congress to extend the program.