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VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
 U.S. State Department/Visa Waiver Program - important announcement regarding new ESTA travel regulations
Information Sheet on ESTA (pdf), July 2008
FAQ on the Visa Waiver Program (pdf), Consular Section/U.S. Embassy Vienna, June 2006
Austrian e-passport valid for Visa Waiver Program travel (travel without a visa)
All Austrian e-passports issued to adults on or after June 16, 2006 (with an integrated chip and a digital photo) may be used for Visa Waiver Program travel until the passport's expiration date.
Austrian passports (including children's passports) issued prior to October 26, 2005 are valid for Visa Waiver Program travel
Holders of valid machine-readable passports issued before October 26, 2005 may use these passports for Visa Waiver Program travel until the passport's expiration date.
Austrian passports issued between October 26, 2005 and June 16, 2006
Holders of valid Austrian passports issued or extended between October 26, 2005 and June 16, 2006 need a visa in order to travel to the United States. Passports containing the previously used "Vignette" cannot be used for Visa Waiver Program travel any more, since the validity of all "Vignettes" expired on October 26, 2006.
Alternatively, holders of passports issued between October 26, 2005 and June 16, 2006 may also consider applying for a new Austrian e-passport.
Children's passport without chip
Children's passport (without a chip) issued between June 16, 2006 and October 25, 2006 may be used for Visa Waiver Program travel until the passport's expiration date.
Please note that children included in a parent's passport cannot use the Visa Waiver Program. They either would need a visa or alternately, apply for their own passport in order to use the Visa Waiver Program.
Children's passport with chip
On October 26, 2006 Austria began issuing children's passports with chips. Therefore, all Austrian children's passports with chips issued on or after October 26, 2006 may be used for Visa Waiver Program travel.
Austrian emergency (off-white) passport
Austrian emergency (off-white cover) passports issued on or after January 1, 2007 may be used for Visa Waiver Program travel.
Please note that all passport regulations listed above apply for transit purposes through the United States as well.
For more information on the requirements for the Visa Waiver Program, please see: http://www.usembassy.at/en/embassy/cons/niv_waiver.htm.
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Important information for German citizens holding temporary (vorläufige) passports can be found on the page of the
U.S. Embassy in Germany.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. visa. Visitors applying for entry under this program are allowed to remain for a maximum of 90 days. Please check the I-94W (green card stapled in your passport) carefully to determine the length of your authorized stay, since 90 days are usually less than a three month period. No extensions are granted. Visitors who enter without a visa cannot change status. (For example, you cannot decide that you want to begin a course of study or begin working in the U.S.) Travelers coming under the VWP cannot work or study. If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, to study or to work, you MUST obtain a visa before traveling. Failure to do so could result in your being detained at the port of entry and returned to Austria on the first available flight. Please see additional requirements below.
You should not attempt to travel to the United States without a visa if:
You previously applied for a visa and were denied;
You have a criminal record; or
You believe you may be ineligible for some other reason (e.g., medical).
The countries currently participating in the VWP are: 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.
To qualify for the VWP, travelers from participating countries must:
1. Have a valid passport issued by the participating country and be a citizen (not only a resident) of that country;
2. Be seeking entry for 90 days or less as a temporary visitor;
3. If entering by air or sea, have a round-trip ticket issued on an approved carrier and arrive in the United States aboard such a carrier. (Most major airlines and cruise lines are approved. The embassy does not have a list of approved carriers. Call the carrier if you have questions. If traveling by private plane or private boat, you must obtain a visa.)
4. If arriving by a land border, have proof of financial solvency and a domicile abroad.
5. Complete and sign a visa waiver arrival/departure form (I-94W). These forms are available from participating carriers and at land-border ports of entry. (Travelers should consult carriers before departure to verify which ones are participating). By signing this form the travelers indicate that they understand the limits of the program and that they waive the right to a hearing of exclusion or deportation (if they are found excludable at the Port of Entry).
Entry from Canada or Mexico at land border crossing points is permitted under the VWP. Travelers who apply for entry at a land border crossing point are not required to present round trip transportation tickets or arrive at the border entry point aboard a carrier which has signed an agreement with the U.S. to participate in the VWP. However, all other VWP requirements apply to such travelers.
Side trips are permitted within the 90-day limit. After the initial entry into the United States, temporary departure to and return from Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands by car or other carriers is permitted, as long as the total stay (in the United States plus contiguous territory and adjacent islands) does not exceed 90 days.
For more information, please see http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html
VISA WAIVER COUNTRY LIST
| 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 |
United Kingdom |
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Important Information for Travelers
on the Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program applies for the United States of America including Puerto Rico, Guam and the US-Virgin Islands.
After entering the U.S. you may travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean within 90 days and re-enter the U.S. using any mode of transport. You may also enter the U.S. without a visa traveling from Canada or Mexico for up to 90 days (please note that there will be a $6.00 fee, payable only in U.S. dollars). You will have to show financial proof to finance your trip at the port of entry.
Please do not apply for a visa if your travel plans meet the VWP requirements.
You will then simply have to fill in a short form on board of the air or sea carrier.
However, please note that the following travelers will need a visa in any case:
- People who intend to work in the U.S. (paid or unpaid!). This includes work as an au-pair or intern.
- People who intend to stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days.
- People who intend to attend school or university in the U.S.
- People who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from the U.S. within the past five years.
- People who have ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime (including drug trafficking).
- People who have been afflicted with a serious communicable disease, or who are drug abusers or addicts.
- People who have participated in the persecution of any person under the control of the Nazi Government of Germany.
- People who have ever been a member or representative of a terrorist organization.
If any of the above applies to you, you are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program and will need a visa to enter the U.S.
E-mail: ConsulateVienna@state.gov
(Please provide fax number or mailing address in your e-mail.)
Privacy Notice and Disclaimer
e-mail: embassy@usembassy.at
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