Q:

What are the Visa Waiver Program countries?

A:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The following countries were added in 2008: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and South Korea.

Q:

What are the passport requirements for Visa Waiver Program applicants?

A:

For nationals or citizens of countries that became part of the Visa Waiver Program in 2008: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and South Korea, the following is required: An electronic passport (E-passport) You must apply for and receive authorization to travel under the Visa Waiver Program via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to your trip. You may apply at the ESTA website. ( Electronic System for Travel Authorization ) ESTA is for air or sea travel under the Visa Waiver Program on a U.S.-bound carrier. For all other nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries: You must apply for and receive authorization to travel under the Visa Waiver Program via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to your trip. You may apply at the ESTA website. ( Electronic System for Travel Authorization ) ESTA is for air or sea travel under the Visa Waiver Program on a U.S.-bound carrier. If you are applying for admission into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program with a passport that was issued prior to October 26, 2005, your passport must be machine-readable. If your passport is not machine-readable, you will need a new machine-readable passport or a visa in the old passport. If you are applying for admission into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program with a passport issued during the time from October 26, 2005 to October 25, 2006, your passport must contain a machine-readable zone and digital photo. A digital photo is a photo that is printed on the page, not glued or laminated into the passport. If your passport does not have a digital photo, you will need a new passport or a visa in the old passport. If you are applying for admission into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program with a passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, your passport must be an electronic passport (E-passport). If it is not an E-passport, you will need a visa.

Q:

How do I know if I have a machine-readable passport?

A:

Machine-readable passports contain lines of printed data on the inside cover, and can be read by scanning the lines of data through special readers. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers can quickly confirm the passport holder’s identity and obtain other information about the holder typically found on a passport’s inside cover. You may obtain information as to whether your passport is machine-readable at your countries’ nearest Consulate or Embassy or passport-issuing office.

Q:	Is there any alternative to me getting a machine-readable passport?
A:	As an alternative, you may obtain a nonimmigrant visa in your current passport from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

Q:	How do I know if I have an E-passport?
A:	E-passports are identified by a symbol printed on the front cover that looks like this: If you are unsure, you may obtain information as to whether your passport is an E-passport at your country's nearest consulate or embassy.

Q:	What will happen if I apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program and I do not have the correct passport?
A:	If you apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program without the required passport and you do not have a nonimmigrant visa, you may be denied entry to the United States and may be detained until removed.

Q:	What else do I need as a Visa Waiver Program applicant?
A:	You must apply for and receive authorization to travel under the Visa Waiver Program via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to your trip. You may apply at the ESTA website. ( Electronic System for Travel Authorization ) ESTA is for air or sea travel on a U.S.-bound carrier.

Q:	If I apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program, can I make a side trip to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands?
A:	You may travel to Canada, Mexico (contiguous territory) or the adjacent islands as part of your trip to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, however: Your trip must not end in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless you are a permanent resident there; and You must return home prior to the expiration of the 90 day period.

Q:	Does this policy apply to the Guam Visa Waiver Program?
A:	No.

Q:	Can children be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if they are listed in a parent's passport?
A:	No. Each VWP applicant must present an individual passport. Families must have individual machine-readable passports for everyone, including children.