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VISA WAIVER PILOT PROGRAM

The visa waiver program (VWPP) 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 - no extensions are granted. Visitors who enter without a visa cannot change status. Travelers coming under the VWPP cannot work or study. If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, study or 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;
you believe you may be ineligible for some other reason (e.g., medical).

Instead, contact the Embassy about your case.

The countries currently participating in the VWPP are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The criteria for inclusion in the VWPP are a very low rates of both refusals of visitor visa applications and illegal overstays, reciprocal treatment of American nationals, a program for issuance of machine-readable passports, and a determination by the U.S. Attorney General that a country's inclusion would not damage U.S. law enforcement interests.

To qualify for the VWPP, travelers from participating countries must:

Have a valid passport issued by the participating country and be a citizen (not only a resident) of that country;

Be seeking entry for 90 days or less as a temporary visitor;

If entering by air or sea, have a round-trip transportation ticket issued on a carrier that has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to participate in the waiver program, and arrive in the United States aboard such a carrier. (Note - if traveling by private plane or boat you must obtain a visa.)

If arriving by a land border, have proof of financial solvency and a domicile abroad.

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 VWPP. 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 VWPP. However, all other VWPP 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.

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