Visa Free Admission Programs
There are various ways visitors to the US may enter the country without requiring a visitor visa, including the Visa Waiver Program and Trusted Traveler Programs. Each of these options is unique in regard to the application processes and who is eligible to apply.
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The Visa Waiver Program
Individuals traveling to the United States for business or tourism purposes may be eligible to apply for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) instead of requiring a visitor visa, such as the B-1 or B-2. Through this program, citizens from 40 countries are enabled to travel to the US for stays up to 90 days or less without a visa. Those countries, in turn, must allow US citizens to travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa. To determine your eligibility for the VWP, you must be authorized through the automated, web-based system ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) through the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection.
If you are from one of the following countries, you may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program:
* unless also citizens or nationals of Iraq, Iran, Syria, or Sudan.
** must have unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
Qualifications for the Visa Waiver Program
To qualify for entry into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, travelers must meet the following criteria:
- Hold citizenship in one of the listed countries and possess a passport that complies with VWP regulations.
- Obtain ESTA authorization.
- Plan a visit to the United States for:
- business purposes (such as consulting with associates, attending conventions or conferences, settling estates, or negotiating contracts)
- tourism or pleasure (including recreational activities, vacations, visits with friends or family, medical treatment, social events, and participation in non-remunerative musical, sports, or similar events),
- Transit through the U.S.
When arriving in the United States by air or sea, it’s required that you:
- Possess a return or onward ticket. If you have an electronic ticket, you should carry a copy of your travel itinerary to show to the immigration inspector. Travelers with onward tickets ending in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, or the Caribbean Islands must be residents of those regions.
- Use an air or sea carrier that has committed to participating in the Visa Waiver Program. This encompasses aircraft from U.S. corporations that have established agreements with the Department of Homeland Security to transport passengers under this program.
When arriving in the United States by land from Canada or Mexico, the documentation prerequisites remain consistent, except for the absence of a need for round-trip tickets or designated carriers. Instead, you are required to demonstrate to the inspecting officer that you possess the financial means to sustain yourself throughout your stay in the United States and to cover your departure expenses.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization
All nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure require an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.
Passport Requirements for Visa Waiver Program
Travelers using the Visa Waiver Program are subject to certain passport requirements that include:
- The passport should feature a machine-readable zone on the biographical page.
- The passport must be an electronic passport equipped with a digital chip containing biometric data related to the passport holder.
Starting from April 1, 2016, all travelers are mandated to possess an e-passport for VWP eligibility. An e-Passport, identified by the symbol , is an advanced, secure passport embedded with an electronic chip. These e-Passports are issued by the appropriate passport authority and adhere to international standards for securely storing information relevant to the passport holder and the passport itself.
Trusted Traveler Programs
Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI are the three major programs that provide expedited travel to pre-approved travelers to the US.
Global Entry
To become a member of the Global Entry program, a traveler must undergo a rigorous background check and interview process. Applicants now have the option for Enrollment on Arrival, meaning a traveler who is “conditionally-approved” may forego scheduling an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center, and instead complete this step upon arrival at a participating airport. As of 2016, all Global Entry travelers must have an e-passport, which enhances security. US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for Global Entry, along with citizens from the following countries:
NEXUS
Travelers from the United States and Canada may be eligible for the NEXUS program, which allows members to use NEXUS kiosks in Canada and Global Entry kiosks in the US. Expedited processing applies at designated air, land, and marine ports of entry. US and Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for NEXUS, along with Mexican nationals who are members of Viajero Confiable. To apply for NEXUS, an individual should create a GOES (Global Online Enrollment System) account and complete an application. Once it is completed, it will be reviewed by the US and Canadian border protection services and, if conditionally approved, will lead to an interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center.
SENTRI
The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, or SENTRI, allows members to use designated processing lanes when crossing southern land borders, use NEXUS kiosks when entering the US from Canada, or use Global Entry kiosks when Entering the US. The SENTRI program has no age or citizenship requirements, though individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s consent. To apply, one must create a Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account and schedule an interview at a SENTRI Enrollment Center.
Certain factors may be cause for ineligibility in any one of the above mentioned programs. These include providing false or incomplete information on the application, being convicted of a crime or having a pending charge/outstanding warrant, violating customs laws, being inadmissible under immigration regulation, or being of high risk. Speak to an immigration lawyer to learn more about your eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program and Trusted Traveler Programs, as well as which program may be best for you.
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