ARTICLE · 24 MARCH 2022

What Is The Visa Waiver Program?

Envoy Global, Inc.

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In response to a rapidly globalizing world economy, the U.S. created the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in 1986 to streamline business and tourism travel into the U.S. for citizens from certain countries.

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Envoy Global, Inc.

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In response to a rapidly globalizing world economy, the U.S. created the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in 1986 to streamline business and tourism travel into the U.S. for citizens from certain countries.

Today, the VWP allows citizens from 40 countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.

What are the Conditions of the VWP?

Travelers entering the U.S. under the VWP must possess a valid machine-readable passport and obtain authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

The following are examples of activities permitted while in the U.S. on the VWP.

Business:

Consult with business associates.

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