The Consular Affairs office offers the visa waiver program (VWP) to travelers from a select list of European countries who need not obtain a travel visa to enter the U.S. An online, electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA) has been set up to register and grant approval to these special travelers.
The European countries participating in this program are Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Citizens and passport-holders of these countries must complete their U.S. visit within 90 days and have an onward or return ticket. Their travel must be for business, pleasure or transit only. Citizens of other European countries must apply for a regular visa depending on their type of visit such as student, business or training.
