ESTA Eligible Countries: Full Visa Waiver Program List

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens from certain countries to visit the United States without needing a traditional visa. Instead, travelers must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online before departure. This program covers 42 countries worldwide, including most of Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. It permits stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit, provided travelers hold a valid biometric passport. This guide details the full list of VWP countries, explains the ESTA process, and outlines the key conditions to enter the USA visa-free.

Countries that can travel to the USA without a visa: in brief

• 🌍 VWP programme: tourist or business stays of less than 90 days without a visa.
• 📋 ESTA eligible countries: 42 countries, regularly updated by the United States.
• 🛂 Biometric passport: mandatory and valid for 6 months after the date of departure.
• ✅ ESTA authorisation: online application required before travel.
• ✈️ Conditions: return ticket, sufficient funds and proof of purpose of stay required.

🌍 Visa Waiver Program Countries: Full List of Nations Eligible for ESTA

The United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is based on reciprocal agreements with selected countries, allowing their citizens to enter the USA without a visa for short stays. This exemption is granted according to diplomatic, economic, and security criteria, ensuring both convenience for travelers and safety for the United States.

As of today, 42 countries are part of the Visa Waiver Program, meaning their nationals can travel to the USA for tourism, business, or transit without applying for a traditional visa. Here is the full list:

⏱ Maximum length of stay in the US without a visa

Travellers from exempt countries may stay in the United States for a maximum of 90 days for tourism, business or transit purposes.

⚠️ Restrictions and conditions for visa-free entry

Even if your country is exempt, certain conditions apply:

• ✅ ESTA authorisation is required before departure.
• 🛂 Valid biometric passport.
• 🎟 Return ticket and proof of funds required.
• 🚫 Entry will be refused if you have stayed in certain high-risk countries or have a contagious disease.

What is the US Visa Waiver Programme?

The US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens from specific Visa Waiver Program countries to enter the United States for tourism, business, or transit without applying for a traditional US visa. Instead, eligible travelers need an ESTA authorisation to board their flight and access US territory.

How does it work?

• 🌍 List of eligible countries: Only citizens of VWP countries can travel visa-free. The official list is updated regularly and currently includes 42 nations worldwide.
• ✅ ESTA authorisation: Even if you come from an ESTA eligible country, you must apply online for ESTA before travelling to the USA. This authorisation is linked to your passport.
• ⏱ Length of stay: Visitors from US visa free countries can stay up to 90 days under the program.

Why does this programme exist?

The Visa Waiver Program was created to:

• Facilitate travel to the United States for tourism and business.
• Simplify border controls at the US.
• Strengthen economic, diplomatic and cultural relations between partner countries and the US.
• Maintain a high level of security through pre-screening via ESTA.

What are the advantages of the VWP?

• ⚡ Simplified process: ESTA is faster and cheaper than applying for a US visa.
• ✈️ Flexibility: Travelers from ESTA countries can fly more spontaneously, without embassy appointments.

Formalities to complete in order to enter the United States without a visa:

If you are a citizen of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries, you can travel to the USA without applying for a traditional visa. However, certain mandatory formalities must be completed before departure:

✅ ESTA authorisation required

• The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is an electronic authorisation valid for 2 years (or until your passport expires).
• It allows for stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business or transit.
• The application is made online, with fees payable by credit card only.

🛂 Valid biometric passport

• It must be electronic and remain valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of departure from the United States.

🎟 Proof of travel and accommodation

• Travelers from US visa free countries must present a return or onward ticket. Proof of sufficient funds may also be requested by border officials.

💉 Specific vaccinations

• In some cases, a vaccination certificate (e.g. yellow fever) may be required depending on your travel history.

✈️ Airline rules

• Each airline may impose its own controls (e.g. additional documents to be presented at boarding).

How do I apply for ESTA to travel to the US without a visa?

To apply for ESTA to travel to the United States without a visa, follow these steps:

• Go to the official US government website or a private provider's website to submit your application in English.
• Select the language in which you wish to complete the form (English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Swedish or Portuguese).
• Complete the online form with your personal and travel information, such as your name, date of birth, address, passport number, etc.
• Carefully check all the information you have provided before submitting your application.
• Pay the ESTA application processing fee by credit card.
• Receive confirmation of your ESTA application by email. It is recommended that you print this confirmation and have it with you when you travel to the United States.
• Check the status of your ESTA application online using the reference number provided.

It is important to apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before your departure to the United States, as this will allow the US authorities sufficient time to process your application and approve your travel authorisation.

🤝 Reciprocity in the Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is partly based on the principle of reciprocity: when a country allows US citizens to enter without a visa, its own nationals can, in return, travel visa-free to the USA.

This principle strengthens diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation between the United States and partner countries, while ensuring fair treatment for travelers.

👉 To join or remain in the list of Visa Waiver Program countries, each nation must:

• allow US citizens similar visa-free entry,
• maintain a low visa refusal rate,
• issue secure biometric passports,
• cooperate with the US on security and border control.

Today, all 42 VWP countries comply with this reciprocity rule, which is one of the essential conditions of the program.

✅ Conclusion: How can you travel to the United States without a visa?

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can travel to the United States without a traditional visa, provided they respect the mandatory conditions. The most important step is to obtain an ESTA authorisation online before departure, along with a valid biometric passport.

👉 For a worry-free stay:

• 🛂 have a valid biometric passport,
• 🎟 have a confirmed return ticket,
• 💳 prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay,
• 💉 check whether any specific vaccinations are required for your itinerary.

The ESTA application can be easily completed online on the official US government website or through a service provider website. Apply at least 72 hours before departure to travel with peace of mind and enjoy your stay in the United States to the fullest.