Passport holders of the following countries are eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, if:

• They present a machine-readable passport (MRP) valid for six months past their expected stay in the United States.  This includes all categories of passports—regular, diplomatic, and official, when the traveler is seeking to enter the U.S. for business or tourist purposes, for a maximum of 90 days.  If the passport was issued between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006, it must have a digital photograph printed on the biographic data page of the passport OR include an integrated chip with information from the data page.  If the passport has neither, the traveler is required to obtain a U.S. visa.  If the passport was issued before October 26, 2005, no further requirements are in effect;
• The purpose of their stay in the United States is 90-days or less for tourism or business (if in doubt, travelers should check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate to verify that what they plan to do is considered tourism or business.  Transit through the United States is generally permitted.  Note that foreign media representatives planning to engage in that vocation in the U.S.  are not eligible, as the purpose their stay does not qualify as "business");
• They have complied with the conditions of previous admissions under the Visa Waiver Program, and have not been found ineligible for a U.S. visa; and
• If arriving by air or sea, they are traveling on an approved carrier (almost all major airlines and cruise ship companies are currently approved carriers - copies of carrier lists may be requested from the Department of Homeland Security's National Fines Office at 1525 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209), and have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination other than the U.S.  or adjacent islands; or
• If arriving by land, they can demonstrate the intent to stay 90-days or less in the U.S. and sufficient funds to support themselves in the United States. 

October 17, 2008, the Visa Waiver Program was expanded to include seven new countries:  Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic.  DHS has announced that nationals of these seven countries will be able to travel without a visa for tourist and business travel of 90- days or less beginning on November 17, 2008, provided they possess a biometric passport and register on-line through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). 

NOTE:  VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the U.S. under the VWP for the original admission period.  See the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for additional details.  Also VWP nationals resident in Mexico, Canada or adjacent islands are generally exempted from requirements to show onward travel to other foreign destinations.  

If you returned home with your departure record Form I-94 (white) or Form I-94W (green) in your passport, it means that your departure was not properly recorded.  It is your responsibility to correct this record.  You must provide sufficient information so we can confirm your timely departure from the United States.  This will close out your earlier record of arrival to this country.

Learn more about the most current procedures on turning in your I-94.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishes criteria for the admissibility of plant, dairy and meat products returning with travelers and determines what may be admitted into the United States.   The USDA can be contacted at 301-734-8896 for information about the admissibility of plant or plant products.  Learn more about USDA food restriction.

All travelers entering the United States from a foreign country must declare all:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Plants and plant products
• Meat and meat products
• Animals, birds, and eggs

Your declaration may be oral, written, or both, and must cover all items carried in your baggage and hand luggage.  If you are returning from abroad, you will be given a Customs Declaration form on which to declare your agricultural products.   You will also be asked to indicate whether you have visited a farm or ranch outside the United States.  USDA officers inspect passenger baggage for undeclared agricultural products.  Failure to declare any items may result in delays and fines of up to $1,000.

Agricultural products of U.S. origin, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and birds taken out of the United States, cannot always be brought back into the country.  These items should be declared upon returning.  Consult in advance with USDA inspectors.