The US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) makes tourism and business travel easier by allowing travelers from certain countries to visit without a traditional visa if they meet specific rules.
Countries like the UK, Australia, Japan, and recently Romania (March 2025) are part of it. However, Indian citizens must still apply for a regular US visa.
To qualify for VWP travel, a person must have an electronic passport with a digital chip and get an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before departure.
Their trip must be for tourism, business, or transit, and they must have a return or onward ticket. Travelers must also have a clean history with no serious visa or criminal issues.
ESTA is an online system that checks if someone is eligible to travel under VWP.
Even with an ESTA, US officers at the border make the final decision. Travelers must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their stay.
Well the 41 nations here are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom.
