What is The Visa Waiver Program and Its Advantages?
This article explains what the visa waiver program is, what its advantages are, and how it can benefit Hispanic immigrants who are about to travel to the United States.
What is the visa waiver program?
The Visa Waiver Program is a program that authorizes entry to the United States without the need for a visa to citizens coming from participating countries. These countries are characterized by a low rate of illegal immigration, stable high-income economies, and a high human development index.
This program allows travel to the United States for tourism and business under a period of time less than or equal to ninety (90) days.
WWhy was the visa waiver program created?
The visa waiver program was created to give the opportunity to citizens who come from abroad, but do not require visas. It was primarily intended for those whose sole intention was to visit the United States for a period of time less than or equal to ninety (90) days. The program was created to help them with the desire to walk, travel and share their cultural experiences in American territory.
Which are the countries that participate in this program?
The participating countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic – temporary exemption program for tourists (it is listed on the website of the American consulate in Prague), Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia – temporary exemption program for tourists (it is listed on the website of the American consulate in Tallinn), Finland – temporary exemption program for tourists (it is listed on the website of the Norwegian consulate) France, Germany.
How big is the program?
The program has approximately 37 participating countries and more than 19 million foreign citizens who travel to the United States without visas.
What are the advantages of the program?
- Do not pay high cost for the passport and documentation for your trip to the United States.
- It is not required to obtain a visa that costs $ 160 dollars.
- You can enter the United States without the need for a special program for tourists with passports.
- Does not require meeting conditions such as presenting a school program, traveling only for a special program, promising not to stay too long in the United States, or other conditions that require meeting.
How can you benefit Hispanic immigrants?
- It is easier to schedule your trip to the United States and obtain a waiver program that has simpler requirements.
- It’s free, there is no longer any need for special programs because you are Hispanic or have a Hispanic passport.
- Hispanic immigrants who scheduled the trip to the United States before the program, will now have more time to prepare to be ready with their documentation when they enter the country.
- For people who programmed to go to the United States with this program, it is required to present a document at the airport indicating the intention to travel as a tourist.
What are the requirements to qualify for the visa waiver program?
- Be a citizen of one of the member countries of the Visa Waiver Program.
- Have a passport legally issued by a country that is a member of the Visa Waiver Program.
- Pretend to enter the United States in a period of time not exceeding ninety (90) days, for business reasons, tourism or to make a stopover.
- Have the authorization to travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), except when entering through land border crossings from Canada or Mexico.
- If you intend to enter by sea or air, travel in an approved commercial transport and have a return ticket to a foreign destination.
- Do not have a criminal record.
How to register for the program?
All citizens of visa-exempt countries who plan to travel to the United States temporarily, need to receive an authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), before embarking on a trip to the United States.
The ESTA is an automated online application computer system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the visa waiver program and adds an additional layer of security that determines whether and whether an individual is eligible to travel. travel constitutes a situation contrary to the law or a security risk.
Program travelers must request authorization within seventy-two (72) hours prior to their trip to the United States.
The authorization is valid for the next two (2) years or until the expiration of the citizen’s passport, which means that a citizen can enter several times in this period of time, respecting the days of permanence in the United States.
At Superior Justice we attend to your legal needs and advise you free of charge at every step of the process. We have an expert legal team in migration that will handle your case in a confidential and professional way. If you need legal help, please contact us at +1 (909) 490-3833, visit us at 228 West C Street Ontario CA 91762 or contact us using the form below.
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