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The Visa Waiver Program: Updates and Review

Update: Since October 1, 2003, Visa Waiver Program nationals have been required to get a Machine Readable Passport or a U.S. non-immigrant visa, for entry in the U.S.

Review of the Visa Waiver Program:

When you want to know more about the visa applications and information that has been faxed or mailed to you, call 1902-941-641. Certain fees apply for this.

Several travelers to the United States don't need visas when they belong to the visa waiver program. An individual must be a citizen from one of these countries to qualify for visa-free entry:

Andorra, Australia , Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Note: Since February 21, 2002, Argentina has been excluded from the visa waiver program.

If you want to know more, just visit the website of Immigration and Naturalization Service at www.ins.gov.

Aside from qualified citizens, the travelers have to be:

- traveling on an unexpired national or EC passport
- traveling for business or pleasure only (though not government business)
- staying in the U.S. for less than 90 days

When entering the U.S. by air or sea:
- traveler should have a return or onward ticket
- the air or sea carrier must have signed an agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to be a part of the visa-waiver program; with the possession of a completed I-94W form, obtained from airline or shipping companies.

When entering the U.S. by land from Canada or Mexico:
- the traveler should have a completed I-94W form, which has been issued by the immigration authorities at the border port of entry.
- there are some travelers who are not allowed by the law to gain entry in the United States. This law includes people: (1) who have serious communicable illnesses, (2) who have criminal records (particularly involvement with drugs), (3) who have previously deported from the U.S., 4)who have certain visa refusals and other problems with the immigration laws or visas of the United States. These certain travelers can apply for specially annotated visas, however they can't use the visa waiver program. If ever they try to enter visa-free, they will be refused by the authorities.
- when an individual plans to study, get a job or stay within the country for over 90 days, he or she can't use the visa waiver program. A visa is needed for these reasons. An appeal is not possible when the U.S. Immigration Officer believes that a visa-free traveler wants to enter the country for studies, occupation or long stay.

On the other hand, when travelers use their visa waiver program, it is not possible for them to extend their stay over 90 days. Plus, they can not opt to change their visa status.

When an individual wants to enter the United States through non-commercial flights, private planes or private yachts, he or she may need to present a visa.

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