Travel without a Visa
ESTA - New Fees for Citizens of Visa Waiver Countries Traveling to the United States U.S. Embassy Luxembourg announces that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has instituted new fees of $14.00 to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) beginning September 8, 2010. Read more in our Press Release.
Certain travelers may visit the United States for business or pleasure for periods of less than 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of existing Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA™), an Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a U.S. government Web site, http://www.cbp.gov/esta.
All VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present machine-readable passports; previous one-time exemptions for first-time VWP travelers without MRPs ended June 26, 2005. In addition, depending on when VWP travelers' passports were issued, other passport requirements apply:
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Machine-readable passports issued before 10/26/05 – no further requirements
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Machine-readable passports issued or extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 – require digital photograph printed on the data page or integrated chip with biometric information from the data page (e-passport)
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Machine-readable passports issued on or after 10/26/06 – require integrated chip with biometric information from the data page (e-passport)
IMPORTANT NOTE
Luxembourg passports issued or extended prior to October 26, 2005 are VALID for travel under the Visa Waiver Program if all requirements listed under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are met.
Luxembourg passports extended after October 26, 2005 are NOT VALID for travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
Holders of such passports planning to travel to the United States on the Visa Waiver Program are advised to obtain a new passport from the Luxembourg Passport Office. If unable to obtain a new passport, they should apply for a non-immigrant visa at the American Embassy.
Children must have their own passport to travel to the United States. If they are included in either parent’s passport, the parent must apply for a visa for their child to be issued in the parent’s passport. Please refer to Non-Immigrant Visa information on how to apply for a visa.
