Short-term Stay · 14 min read · Updated February 22, 2026

Visa Waiver Program & ESTA

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

What is the Visa Waiver Program?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of **43 designated countries** to travel to the United States for **tourism or business** for stays of **90 days or less** without obtaining a visa. Instead, travelers must obtain an approved **ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)** before departure.

**Key features:**

• Maximum stay of **90 days** — no extensions permitted.

• Must have an approved ESTA before boarding.

• ESTA is valid for **2 years** or until passport expires (whichever is first).

• Cannot change to most other visa statuses while in the U.S.

• Cannot adjust status to permanent resident in most cases.

• **No waiver of inadmissibility** available under the VWP.

Participating Countries

As of 2026, the following **43 countries** participate in the VWP (Romania was added in March 2025 and Qatar in December 2024):

**Europe:** Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

**Asia-Pacific:** Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan

**Middle East:** Qatar (added Dec 2024)

**Americas:** Chile

**Note:** Citizens of these countries may still be ineligible if they have traveled to certain countries (Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, or Cuba) since March 1, 2011 (Cuba since January 12, 2021), hold dual nationality with those countries, or have certain criminal/immigration violations.

ESTA Application Process

**Step 1: Apply Online** Visit the official ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) at least **72 hours** before travel.

**Step 2: Provide Information**

• Passport details

• Travel itinerary

• Contact information in the U.S.

• Employment information

• Eligibility questions (criminal history, health, prior visa denials, etc.)

**Step 3: Pay the Fee** $21 total ($4 processing fee + $17 authorization fee if approved).

**Step 4: Receive Authorization**

• **Authorization Approved:** You can travel to the U.S.

• **Travel Not Authorized:** You must apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate.

• **Authorization Pending:** Check back within 72 hours.

**Important:** ESTA approval does not guarantee admission — CBP officers make the final admission decision at the port of entry.

**Warning:** Only use the official CBP website. Many third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same service.

Important Restrictions

The VWP comes with significant restrictions that many travelers are unaware of:

**No Extensions:**

• You **cannot extend** your stay beyond 90 days under any circumstances.

• There is no provision for extensions, even for emergencies (medical or otherwise).

**No Change of Status:**

• You generally **cannot change** to another nonimmigrant status (H-1B, F-1, etc.) while in the U.S. on the VWP.

• Exception: You can apply for asylum or apply for U/T visa status.

**No Adjustment of Status:**

• You generally **cannot adjust** to permanent resident status.

• Exception: Adjustment is permitted for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21).

**No Waiver of Inadmissibility:**

• If you have prior immigration violations or criminal issues, you cannot use the VWP.

**90-Day Calculation:**

• The 90-day clock starts when you enter the U.S.

• Short trips to Canada, Mexico, or Caribbean islands generally do **not** reset the 90-day clock.

• You must depart and spend **significant time** outside the Americas to reset the clock.

VWP/ESTA vs. B-1/B-2 Visa

If you're eligible for both, understanding the differences is important:

| Feature | VWP/ESTA | B-1/B-2 Visa | |---|---|---| | **Maximum Stay** | 90 days (no extensions) | Up to 6 months (extendable) | | **Application** | Online, $21 | Consular interview, $185 | | **Processing Time** | Minutes to 72 hours | Days to weeks | | **Extensions** | Not permitted | Can apply for extension | | **Change of Status** | Generally not permitted | Permitted in some cases | | **Validity** | 2 years / multiple entries | Up to 10 years / multiple entries |

**When to use a B visa instead of VWP:**

• You need to stay longer than 90 days.

• You may need to extend or change status.

• You have been denied ESTA.

• You want more flexibility during your visit.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

**1. Overstaying the 90 days:** Even one day of overstay can result in being barred from using the VWP in the future and may affect future visa applications.

**2. Working without authorization:** The VWP does not permit any form of employment. Attending business meetings and conferences is permitted, but performing productive work for a U.S. employer is not.

**3. Trying to reset the 90-day clock with short trips:** A quick trip to Canada or Mexico does not reset your 90-day VWP clock. CBP officers are aware of this tactic.

**4. Using third-party ESTA websites:** Only use esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Third-party sites charge $50-$100+ for the same $21 service.

**5. Not checking ESTA status before travel:** Always verify your ESTA is still valid before booking travel. Changes in passport, name, or citizenship require a new ESTA.

Regulatory Citations and Legal Basis

INA — Section 217
The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may designate any country as a program country if the requirements for designation under this section are met.

8 CFR — Section 217.2
Each nonimmigrant alien intending to travel by air or sea to the United States under the provisions of section 217 of the Act must have a valid, unexpired ESTA approval prior to boarding a carrier.

INA — Section 217(a)(1)
The alien has a round-trip transportation ticket, the alien has been admitted as a visitor for business or pleasure, and the alien will depart at the end of the 90-day period.

Common Questions

How long is an ESTA valid?

Generally 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows for multiple entries, but each stay is limited to 90 days.

Can I extend my stay beyond 90 days?

No. There is no extension available under the VWP. If you need to stay longer, you must depart and return (with sufficient time outside the U.S.), or apply for a B-1/B-2 visa for your next trip.

Can I work in the U.S. on the VWP?

No. The VWP only permits tourism and business activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations). Any form of productive employment is prohibited. If you need to work, you must obtain a work visa.

What happens if I overstay?

Overstaying even by one day can result in being permanently barred from using the VWP and may result in a 3-year or 10-year bar on re-entering the U.S., depending on the length of the overstay.

Can I apply for a green card while on the VWP?

Generally no. The only exception is for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21) who may adjust status. All other categories must leave the U.S. and apply through consular processing.

Does a short trip to Canada reset the 90-day clock?

No. Short trips to Canada, Mexico, or Caribbean islands generally do not reset the 90-day VWP clock. The 90-day period continues from your original entry. You must spend significant time outside the Western Hemisphere to reset the clock.