You might not know it, but it is possible for some foreign residents to travel to the United States without having to apply for a visitor visa. If you plan to pay a visit to the U.S. for reasons of business or pleasure, you might qualify for a visa waiver.
To participate in the Visa Waiver Program, you must get prior authorization first. This can happen if you meet certain requirements.
You must live in an eligible country
Not all countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program. According to the U.S. State Department, you must be a citizen or a national of one of a group of nations that are a part of the program in order to seek a waiver.
You must be eligible
To take advantage of the VWP, you should make sure you have an electronic passport. Next, you should seek authorization through the online Electronic System for Travel Authorization system. This will determine whether you qualify for the VWP. In addition to providing information in the ESTA application, you will also have to pay a fee.
Your information should be current
If you receive ESTA approval, it should be good for up to two years. However, you might need to apply for a new ESTA in the event your personal information changes. You might alter your name, gender, or citizenship. Also, you may need to answer an ESTA question differently than you had before, or you have acquired a new passport since your initial application.
While applying for a visitor visa could still be an option, availing yourself of the VWP might be easier and worth considering.