Immigration Lawyers Blog

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) recently issued a report on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which allows foreign visitors from certain countries to enter the U.S. without obtaining a visa. To participate in the VWP, a country must offer reciprocal privileges to U.S. citizens and its participation in the VWP may help promote better international relations, tourism and commerce, and lighten consular caseloads. To date, 36 countries participate in the VWP, including Australia, Japan, and the UK, to name a few. In FY2009, 16.2 million visitors entered the U.S. under the VWP, accounting for 50.5% of all foreign visitors. For the CRS’s full report on the VWP, including issues of security, adding countries to the VWP, lost and stolen passports, overstays, etc, see http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL32221.pdf.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds U.S.-bound travelers from visa waiver program (VWP) countries that they must obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a plane or ship headed to the U.S. ESTA has been mandatory since Jan. 12, 2009 and does not affect U.S. citizens returning from overseas or citizens of VWP countries traveling on a valid U.S. visa. ESTA applications are submitted online at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/ and are generally valid for up to 2 years with multiple entries permitted. A relative, friend, or travel agent may submit an application for a VWP traveler. The ESTA website is currently available in 21 languages.