Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in collaboration with the State Department, enables citizens from 41 countries[1] to visit the United States for business or tourism for a duration of up to 90 days without the need for a visa. In reciprocity, these 41 countries must allow U.S. citizens and nationals to visit their nations for a similar period without a visa, specifically for business or tourism purposes. Since its establishment in 1986, the VWP has transformed into a comprehensive security alliance with many of the United States’ closest allies. The VWP employs a risk-based, multi-layered strategy to identify and thwart potential threats, including terrorists, serious criminals, and other malicious actors, from entering the United States. This strategy involves regular, national-level evaluations to assess the impact of each participating country’s involvement in the VWP on U.S. national security and law enforcement interests. Additionally, it encompasses thorough screening of individual VWP travelers before their journey to the United States, upon their arrival at U.S. ports of entry, and during any subsequent air travel within the country.