News & Events
UNITED STATES IMPLEMENTS CHANGES TO THE
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (“The Act”) became effective as of December 18, 2015. Nationals of visa waiver countries who have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria on or after March 1, 2011, are no longer eligible for the visa waiver program (“VWP”), commonly referred to as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorizations). With limited exceptions, individuals from visa waiver countries who have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria on or after March 1, 2011, will need to apply for a visa through their local U.S. embassy or consulate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program?
Response: Citizens or nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP:
| Andorra | Hungary | New Zealand |
| Australia | Iceland | Norway |
| Austria | Ireland | Portugal |
| Belgium | Italy | San Marino |
| Brunei | Japan | Singapore |
| Chile | Republic of Korea | Slovakia |
| Czech Republic | Latvia | Slovenia |
| Denmark | Liechtenstein | Spain |
| Estonia | Lithuania | Sweden |
| Finland | Luxembourg | Switzerland |
| France | Malta | Taiwan** |
| Germany | Monaco | United Kingdom* |
| Greece | The Netherlands |
Question: I am U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident and have traveled to Iran after March 1, 2011. Does the Act apply to me?
Response: No. U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents who have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria after March 1, 2011, do not require any special permission to return to the United States after traveling to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria. This law affects foreign nationals of only the Visa Waiver countries listed above.
Question: I am a dual national of a Visa Waiver Program country listed above and Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria and traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria after March 1, 2011. Do I need to apply for a visa?
Response: If you are a dual national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed in the table above and Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria and traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011, you will need to apply for a visa. However, a visa is required only if you are a dual national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries and traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria. If you have not traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria after March 1, 2011, this law does not apply to you.
Question: I would like to learn more about the Visa Waiver Program and the recent developments regarding the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. Where can I find more information about this?
Response: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection have provided responses to a number of frequently asked questions about the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. For more information, please click here.
