US Visas

United States Visas

Key:

Red = The US and its Territories

Light Blue = Compact Of Free Association Countries (Freedom of Movement)

Dark Green = No Visa or ESTA Required for 6 months

Light Green = Visa Waiver Program Countries with ESTA Required for 90 days

Yellow  = Visa Not Required with Police Clearance Certificate for 6 months

Grey = Visa Required

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens from certain countries to enter the United States (all 50 States, DC and the 5 Territories) for up to 90 days for Tourism, Business or Transit. They do have to register online for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), pay $21 before coming to the US and have their Biometrics taken (US-VISIT) after arriving to the US.

As of July 5, 2024 there are 41 countries in the VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom (only for British Citizens and not Nationals or Subjects)

Not included with the VWP the following Countries and Territories can also enter the US without a Visa:

Canada: for 6 months and doesn’t need ESTA or US-VISIT.

The Compact of Free Association: Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia: can live, work and study in the US with no Visa and no ESTA for 1 year (renewable.)

The Bahamas: Can travel to the US Visa Free for 6 months with no ESTA if they use one of 2 US Preclearance Airports (Nassau or Freeport.)

Bermuda: If using a Bermuda Territorial Passport: 6 months with no ESTA; if using a British Passport: 90 days, ESTA and US-VISIT.

The British Virgin Islands: If using a British Virgin Islands Territorial Passport: 6 months with no ESTA; if they travel to the US Virgin Islands first and then can go to the rest of the US; if using a British Passport: 90 days, ESTA and US-VISIT.

The Cayman Islands: If using a Cayman Islands Territorial Passport: 6 months with no ESTA; if using a British Passport: 90 days, ESTA and US-VISIT.

Turks and Caicos Islands: If using a Turks and Caicos Islands Territorial Passport: 6 months with no ESTA; if using a British Passport: 90 days, ESTA, and US-Visit.

 

Russia: Residents of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug who are members of the Indigenous Population do not need a Visa to visit Alaska for 90 days if they have relatives (blood relatives, members of the same tribe, native people who have similar language and cultural heritage) in Alaska. They have to be officially invited by their Alaskan relatives, notify Alaskan officials 10 days before arriving and can only enter through Gambell and Nome (they aren’t allowed to travel outside of Alaska.)

Some US Territories also allow other nationalities to visit without a visa, but they can’t then travel to the rest of the US without first getting a visa:

Guam and the Marshall Islands: Malaysia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea can visit for 45 days with no ESTA.

American Samoa: Samoa 45 days with no ESTA.

For those who require a Visa (For Non-Immigrant Business and Tourism: Business (B-1 Visa), for Tourism (B-2 Visa), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2 Visa).) to enter the US they must do the following:

-          Complete and Online Visa Application with Uploaded Photo

-          Schedule an Interview at a US Embassy or Consulate (Those 13 and younger or 80 and older do not need an Interview.)

-          Pay the Visa Fee ($185 Dollars)

-          Bring the following to your Interview: Foreign Passport (with 6 months validity), Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 Confirmation Page, Visa Fee Confirmation Page, Extra Passport-Sized Photos, Evidence of your Employment/Bank Statements, etc. to prove you have sufficient funds while in the US, etc.)

-          At the Interview the Consular Officer can: Deny your application, State that your application needs more Administrative Processing or grant your application.

-          If your Visa Application is granted you may need to leave your Passport with the US Embassy and pick it up later with your US Visa in it.