Which countries can travel to USA without visa?
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Knowing which countries can enter the United States without a visa is essential to avoid mistakes when planning your trip. If your home country is not visa-free, you will need to obtain a US visa before your trip. In addition, even if your country is visa-free, there are certain formalities that must be completed to enter the United States, such as ESTA authorization. We have therefore created this page to provide you with all the necessary information on visa exempt countries for the USA and the formalities for entering the USA.
Countries that can travel to the USA without a visa: in brief
- Visa Waiver Programme (VWP): This programme allows citizens of certain countries to visit the United States for a tourist or business stay of less than 90 days without needing a visa, provided they obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
- List of eligible countries: The list of countries participating in the VWP is regularly updated. It mainly includes developed countries with which the United States has bilateral agreements.
- Biometric passport required: To benefit from the VWP, you must hold an electronic (biometric) passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your planned departure from the United States.
- ESTA authorisation: Even if you are a citizen of an eligible country, you must complete and obtain ESTA authorisation before your trip. This authorisation is electronic and can be obtained online.
- Restrictions and conditions: The VWP is subject to restrictions and conditions. For example, travellers must justify the reason for their visit, have a return ticket and have sufficient financial means for the duration of their stay.
Let's first look at the reasons why some countries are visa-free for the USA.
The United States has established reciprocal agreements with several countries, which allow their citizens to travel to the United States without a visa for short stays. This visa waiver is often based on diplomatic, economic and security considerations.
There are currently 40 visa-exempt countries in the USA. These countries are listed below:
The maximum stay for travellers from visa-exempt countries to the USA is 90 days.
It is important to note that even if your home country is visa-free, certain restrictions apply. For example, if you have recently travelled to certain countries or have a contagious disease, you may be refused entry to the United States. In addition, ESTA authorisation is required for some visa-exempt travellers, which must be obtained before travel.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is an agreement put in place by the United States that allows citizens of certain countries to visit the United States for tourism or business without needing a traditional visa.
How does it work?
Why does the VWP exist?
The VWP was set up to facilitate travel between the United States and partner countries, while maintaining a high level of security. It makes border controls more fluid and strengthens economic and cultural relations between the participating countries.
What are the advantages of the VWP?
If you are a national of a visa-exempt country, you should be aware that you will need to complete certain formalities before travelling to the USA:
To apply for an ESTA to travel to the United States without a visa, here are the steps to follow:
It is important to apply for the ESTA at least 72 hours before your departure to the United States, as this will allow the US authorities sufficient time to process your application and approve your travel authorisation.
Some countries may be subject to reciprocity agreements with the United States, which means that if US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter their country, citizens of those countries must also be visa-free to enter the US. These reciprocity agreements are based on diplomatic and economic considerations.
Currently, only 3 countries are subject to reciprocity agreements with the US and these are listed below:
The period of stay allowed for citizens of countries with reciprocal agreements is a maximum of 90 days.
It is important to note that although these countries are visa-free to enter the United States, they must still complete other entry requirements, such as obtaining ESTA clearance and presenting supporting documentation upon arrival.
In conclusion, travelling to the US without a visa is possible for nationals of many countries thanks to visa exemptions and reciprocity agreements. However, it is important to comply with the necessary formalities and to take into account the restrictions to avoid any problems upon entry into the US.
For a safe and serene visa-free trip, it is recommended to take certain precautions such as having sufficient funds, a return ticket and a vaccination certificate if necessary. It is also important to find out about the conditions of entry into the United States depending on your nationality.
To make the process easier, it is possible to apply for an ESTA online on the official US government website. If you have any questions or need help with your trip to the United States, do not hesitate to contact a travel expert or call on professionals for your ESTA application.
Check if your question has already been answered in the list below
Citizens of 40 countries can enter the United States without a visa for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days. These countries include most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan. However, these nationals must apply for ESTA electronic travel authorisation online before their departure.
You can check the list of visa-exempt countries for the USA on the US State Department website. If your country is not on the list, you will need a visa to enter the USA. However, you should know that the UK, Belgium, Switzerland and other EU countries are part of the US Visa Waiver Program and can therefore benefit from the ESTA to travel there.
If you are a national of a visa-exempt country, you must complete an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online at least 72 hours prior to your departure for the USA. You must also present a valid passport and proof of sufficient funds for your stay. You may also be asked to present a return ticket and a certificate of vaccination against certain diseases.