The following is a summary of information provided courtesy of the U.S. Department of State, Office of Visa Services. For additional information on this program, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The Visa Waiver Pilot Program enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. visa. Currently there are 25 participating countries in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, including: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

To qualify, travelers from participating countries must:

Have a valid passport issued by the participating country and be a citizen (not only a resident) of that country;

Be seeking entry for 90 days or less as a temporary visitor;

If entering by air or sea, have a round-trip transportation ticket issued on a carrier that has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to participate in the waiver program, and arrive in the United States abroad such a carrier.

Have proof of financial solvency and hold a completed and signed visa waiver arrival/departure form (I-94W), on which he/she has waived the right to a hearing of exclusion or deportation. These forms will be available for participating carried, from travel agents, and at land-border ports-of-entry. (Travelers should consult carriers before departure to verify which ones are participating.)

Entry at a land border crossing point from Canada or Mexico is permitted under the VWPP. Travelers who apply for entry at a land border crossing point are not required to present round-trip transportation tickets or arrive at the border entry point aboard a carrier who has signed an agreement with the U.S. to participate in the VWPP. All other VWPP requirements apply to such travelers.

Visitors applying for entry under this program are allowed to remain 90 days (no extensions granted) and can not change their status. Consistent with regulations pertaining to B1/B2 temporary visitor visas, travelers coming under the VWPP can not work or study.

Certain travelers still need to apply for a visa, such as those who plan to work or study, stay more than 90 days, or who might otherwise be ineligible for a visa. Travelers previously denied visas, or who have criminal records, or who believe they may be ineligible for a visa, should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before attempting to travel on the VWPP.