United States Confirms Countries Eligible for Visa-Free Travel Under Visa Waiver Program

Date: July 9, 2026

The United States has reaffirmed the list of countries whose citizens can travel to the country without applying for a traditional U.S. visitor visa through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Under the program, eligible travelers can visit the United States for tourism, business, or transit purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a B1/B2 visa. However, travelers must receive approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding their flight or ship to the United States.

Countries Currently Eligible

The eligible countries include:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Chile
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security states that the Visa Waiver Program currently covers 42 participating countries.

Important Requirements

Although travelers from these countries do not need a traditional visa, they must:

• Hold an eligible biometric passport.
• Obtain an approved ESTA before travel.
• Stay in the United States for no more than 90 days.
• Travel only for tourism, business, or transit purposes.

Certain travelers may still be required to apply for a regular U.S. visa depending on their travel history or dual nationality.

Countries Not Included

Citizens of countries that are not part of the Visa Waiver Program—including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and many others—must continue applying for the appropriate U.S. visa before traveling.

Final Thoughts

The Visa Waiver Program remains one of the United States' key travel facilitation initiatives, making short-term travel easier for citizens of participating countries while maintaining strict security screening through the ESTA system. Travelers are advised to verify the latest entry requirements before making travel plans, as immigration policies can change over time.