US Sets Five Criteria for Visa Waiver Program Eligibility

The United States government has established five key requirements for countries seeking eligibility for its Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This program permits nationals of participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval before departure.

The requirements include: sharing enhanced law enforcement and security-related data with the US, issuing e-passports to citizens, maintaining a visitor (B) visa refusal rate of less than three percent, timely reporting of lost and stolen passports, and upholding high standards in counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security. The US government clarified that these criteria are not exhaustive, and additional conditions may apply based on individual country assessments.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee inclusion in the VWP, as final designation is at the discretion of the US government.