Effective November 17, 2008, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will expand to include the following seven countries:
- The Czech Republic;
- Estonia;
- Hungary;
- Latvia;
- Lithuania;
- Slovakia; and
- South Korea
Nationals of these countries will be able to travel without a visa for tourist and business travel of 90 days or less, provided that they possess a biometric passport and register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Prior to November 17, 2008, nationals of the above-listed countries will still require a visa to travel to the United States. Nationals of these new VWP member countries will also be required to present a passport containing a digital photograph printed on the passport page or an integrated chip containing information on the data page (also known as an "e-Passport").
Established in 1986, The VWP enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for stays of 90 days or less for business or tourism purposes without obtaining a visa. Please note that not all travelers from VWP countries may be eligible to use the program. Nationals of the pre-existing VWP countries may also be subject to different passport requirements, depending on the date the passport was issued or extended. Please refer to the Department of State's Visa Waiver Program page for further details: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#vwp.
How This Affects You:
Although the VWP will make travel to the United States easier for nationals of the new member countries, the program does not guarantee entry into the United States. Visa Waiver visitors must still demonstrate to the US Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry that they are coming to the United States for legitimate purposes, and will stay for no more than 90 days.
Obtaining advanced authorization for travel by registering through ESTA is not expected to be mandatory for nationals of the pre-existing VWP member-countries until January 12, 2009.
We will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.
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