Latest Visa Waiver Program in US 2025

Starting on November, the United States announced its intention to extend the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens and nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia will be permitted to travel to the United States under the VWP, provided that they possess an e-passport and an approved pre-travel authorization through ESTA. Individuals who are citizens or nationals of officially recognized VWP nations are eligible to travel to the United States for a maximum of 90 days in order to engage in trade or tourism.

More Info

What is the US Visa Waiver Program VWP?

The United States Visa Waiver Program permits citizens of a limited number of states to enter the United States without a visa for a period of up to three months. It was specifically designed to be a rapid and efficient method of travel, allowing individuals to wander to the United States for a brief business journey or tourist excursion.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also announced that, effective January 1, qualified citizens or nationals of all past VWP nations must obtain prior endorsement through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States without a visa under the VWP.

More Info

Requirements

The United States Visa Waiver Program permits citizens of a limited number of states to enter the United States without a visa for a period of up to three months. It was specifically designed to be a rapid and efficient method of travel, allowing individuals to wander to the United States for a brief business journey or tourist excursion.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also announced that, effective January 1, qualified citizens or nationals of all past VWP nations must obtain prior endorsement through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States without a visa under the VWP.

Candidates Already Issued Any Visa. These nonimmigrant candidates may have their visa deferred on the off chance that they:

• apply in their nation of nationality or residence;
• have never been denied a visa unless the refusal was overcome or postponed, and
• need apparent and potential ineligibility to get a visa.

Candidates who are new to the job market. Visa deferrals may be granted to these nonimmigrant candidates in the event that they:

• submit their application in the country of their nationality or domicile;
• are citizens or nationals of a country that is interested in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP);
• have already traveled to the United States under the VWP, utilizing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and
• It is imperative to be explicit regarding the prospective ineligibility for a visa.
• Secondly, the ability of consular officers to postpone interviews for brief rural and non-agricultural laborers (H-2 visas), students (F and M visas), and trade students (scholarly J visas) will also be maintained until December.
• To qualify for the meet waiver, candidates for place-specific visas must have already traveled together and utilized ESTA. The current approach has been modified accordingly. Additionally, these individuals are required to submit an application for a visa in their hometown or country of nationality.
• Therefore, individuals who are subject to a government that does not maintain their nationality or residence and file for a US visa in that country will not be eligible for a visa meet waiver.

Thirdly, candidates who renew any visa type that has expired within the past 48 months will be eligible for a meet waiver. The number of consular specialists who are capable of implementing this strategy has been increased indefinitely.

Check Also: Visa Sponsorship Hotel Jobs in USA – Apply Now

Benefits for Latest Visa Waiver Program in US

• Streamlined Travel: For periods of up to 90 days, travelers from participating countries are not required to submit a visa application. This eliminates the necessity for the visa application procedure, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.
• Simplified Entry Process: The VWP allows travelers to bypass the conventional visa process and register for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online, a significantly faster process.
• Automated Entry: Travelers may speed up the entry procedure by utilizing Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks at U.S. airports after they have been approved for ESTA.
• Reduced Bureaucracy: There is no requirement for a visa interview, which can occasionally be delayed or complicated, particularly during peak application periods.
• 90-Day Stay: Travelers who are eligible are permitted to remain in the United States for a maximum of 90 days without requiring a visa. This is the optimal choice for brief vacations, business travels, and other temporary visits.
• Tourism and Business: The VWP permits travel for both tourism and business purposes, including the exploration of investment opportunities, attending conferences, or participating in meetings.
• Cost-Effective: The cost of an ESTA application is relatively low (approximately $21 as of 2024), in contrast to visa applications, which may incur higher fees and additional expenses such as medical examinations and document preparation.
• Business Visits: Visas are not required for travelers to attend conferences, trade exhibits, business meetings, and other business activities.
• Tourism: Visitors have the opportunity to engage in leisure activities, such as tourism, visiting family or friends, or discovering new destinations in the United States.

Nations are Allowed to Visit the VWP

Qatar is the most recent addition to this list, and as a result, the VWP now encompasses 42 regions of the country. The entire upgraded list is provided below:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Chile
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea, Republic of
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar (New addition)
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

How Does the VWP Work?

An e-passport that includes a microprocessor is required for foreign travelers who wish to enter the United States under the VWP. They accumulate an ESTA (Electronic Framework for Travel Authorization).

The general handle typically takes three days, including the working ends of the week, and a token charge is paid. A visa is not required for travelers to enter the United States once they have been approved under the VWP.

Important Notes:

• The maximum duration of stay in the United States is 90 days.
• Tourism, or trade, as it were: The VWP is intended for temporary visits; individuals are permitted to solicit employment solely during their stay in the country.
• Return Ticket: A forward travel record or a return ticket is necessary.

Why Qatar’s Consideration Matters

This upgrade also impedes the connection between Qatar and the United States, thereby promoting travel between the two countries. Moreover, it presents opportunities for Qatari citizens to engage in compelling commerce and tourism. Readers from the 42 VWP nations, it is now time to commence the planning of your voyage to the United States!

Remaining in the United States and obtaining a contemporary US visa are not feasible. The process for requesting a meet waiver varies from post to post; however, it is generally as follows:

• Please submit the DS-160 form.
• Visa expense that is discernible at the pay machine; and
• To request an interview waiver, visit the website for visa arrangement planning:
• The post will issue a take note confirming the waiver if the meet waiver is permitted. This notice must be printed and incorporated into the visa application packet that is submitted to the department.
• If the meet waiver is denied, the candidate is required to arrange a visa interview.

Sum Up

In a long-awaited effort to address the delays and accumulations that have emerged due to consular closures and constrained staffing over the last year-and-a-half, the US Office of State announced on December 23 that it is authorizing consular officers to waive the in-person interview/appointment requirement for specific temporary/nonimmigrant visa candidates through the end of 2024. The current approach is applicable to individuals who are applying for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas in their country of nationality or residence. Under this new guidance, consular officers are permitted to waive the requirement for individuals who have already been granted US visas to file for these visa types.

Fraquality Asked Question: