Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visas
The U.S. State Department has a
Visa Waiver Program(VWP)
allowing citizens of the fol-
lowing countries to enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days: Andorra, Aus-
tralia, 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,
Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. (Note:
This list was accurate at press time; for the most up-to-date list of countries in the VWP, consult
ht-
Even though a visa isn't necessary, in an effort to help U.S. officials check travelers against terror
watch lists before they arrive at U.S. borders, visitors from VWP countries must register online
through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a plane or a boat to
the U.S. Travelers must complete an electronic application providing basic personal and travel eli-
gibility information. The Department of Homeland Security recommends filling out the form at least
3 days before traveling. Authorizations will be valid for up to 2 years or until the traveler's passport
expires, whichever comes first. Currently, there is one $14 fee for the online application. Existing
ESTA registrations remain valid through their expiration dates. Note: Any passport issued on or
after October 26, 2006, by a VWP country must be an
e-Passport
for VWP travelers to be eligible
to enter the U.S. without a visa. Citizens of these nations also need to present a round-trip air or
cruise ticket upon arrival. E-Passports contain computer chips capable of storing biometric inform-
ation, such as the required digital photograph of the holder. If your passport doesn't have this fea-
ture, you can still travel without a visa if the valid passport was issued before October 26, 2005,
and includes a machine-readable zone; or if the valid passport was issued between October 26,
2005, and October 25, 2006, and includes a digital photograph. For more information, go to
ht-
tp://travel.state.gov/visa
.
Canadian citizens may enter the United States without visas, but will
need to show passports and proof of residence.
Citizens of all other countries must have a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later than
the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S., and a tourist visa.
For information about U.S. Visas go to
http://travel.state.gov
and click on “Visas.” Or go to one of
the following websites:
Australian
citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the
U.S. Embassy Canberra,
Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (
&
02/6214-5600
); or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mis-
sion's website at
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/visas.html
.
British
subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the
U.S. Embassy Visa Inform-
ation Line
(
&
09042/450-100
) or by visiting the “Visas to the U.S.” section of the American Em-
bassy London's website at
www.usembassy.org.uk
.
Irish
citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the
Embassy of the USA Dublin,
42
Elgin Rd., Dublin 4, Ireland (
&
1580/47-8472
) or by checking the “Consular Services” section of
the website at
http://dublin.usembassy.gov
.
Citizens of
New Zealand
can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the
U.S. Embassy
