The United States (US) has updated its Visa Waiver Program (VWP), announcing that travellers who have visited certain countries or hold dual nationality with them are no longer eligible for visa-free entry into the country.
The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa.
However, eligible travellers must still receive approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before travelling.
According to the U.S. government, the changes were introduced under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, which requires some travellers who would normally qualify for visa-free entry to apply for a U.S. visa instead.
The affected countries are:
- North Korea
- Iran
- Iraq
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
- Cuba (for travellers who visited on or after January 12, 2021)
The restrictions apply to citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries who travelled to or were present in North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011.
The U.S. government said limited exceptions are available for people who travelled to those countries for diplomatic or military duties on behalf of a Visa Waiver Program country.
It also stated that nationals of participating countries who visited Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, are no longer eligible for visa-free travel under the programme, except in limited diplomatic or military cases.
In addition, citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries who also hold citizenship of any of the following countries must obtain a visa before travelling to the United States:
- Cuba
- North Korea
- Iran
- Iraq
- Sudan
- Syria
The updated guidance means that affected travellers, even if they are citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, must apply for a visitor (B) visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate before entering the country.
The U.S. government added that travellers who remain eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must obtain a valid ESTA approval before departure and meet all other programme requirements, including limiting their stay to no more than 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
