If you’re thinking about travelling to the United States in 2025, there’s some exciting news for you. The U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has been expanded, which means eligible travellers can now enter the U.S. more easily without having to stress to get a traditional visa. This update is a significant development, as it opens the door for millions of tourists, business visitors, and even people passing through from 42 participating countries.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
In simple terms, it’s a long-standing arrangement that allows citizens of certain countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without undergoing the full visa process. You can use it for tourism, business, or transit.
However, if you are eligible, you’ll need to apply for authorisation through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). ESTA is a quick online approval run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to confirm you’re eligible for visa-free entry.
Key Requirements for VWP Travellers
Before booking your flight, make sure you meet the following conditions:
- You must hold a valid passport from a VWP country.
- You must apply for and receive ESTA approval before travelling.
- Your stay cannot exceed 90 days.
- Your trip must be for business, tourism, or transit only.
- You must not have visited restricted countries listed under U.S. security rules.
Who is Not Eligible for the VWP?
Even if you are a citizen of a U.S. Visa Waiver Program country, you may be disqualified if:
- You visited North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011.
- You visited Cuba on or after January 12, 2021.
- You hold dual nationality with Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, or North Korea.
In these cases, travellers must apply for a standard B-1/B-2 U.S. visitor visa.
Complete List of Eligible Countries in 2025
Citizens of the following 42 countries can travel to the United States visa-free for up to 90 days under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program:
- 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
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The 2025 expansion of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program offers greater flexibility for international travellers, making short-term visits to the U.S. more accessible. While the program reduces the need for traditional visas, travellers must remain aware of restrictions and complete their ESTA applications before departure.
If you’re planning a trip to the U.S. this year, check if your country is listed and start your ESTA application early to avoid delays.
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