The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the Department of State, permits citizens of designated countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. In return, those countries must permit U.S. citizens and nationals to travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes. Since its inception in 1986, the VWP has evolved into a comprehensive security partnership with many of America’s closest allies. The VWP utilizes a risk-based, multi-layered approach to detect and prevent terrorists, serious criminals, and other mala fide actors from traveling to the United States.

Participation in the VWP requires countries to increase counterterrorism, law enforcement, and immigration enforcement cooperation with the United States. This cooperation – often coupled with countries’ significant upgrades to their own capacities, systems, and processes to meet program requirements – results in greatly enhanced security for both the United States and the VWP participating country. DHS’s approach incorporates regular, national-level risk assessments concerning the impact of each program country’s participation in the VWP on U.S. national security and law enforcement interests, including immigration enforcement interests. Eligible individuals using the VWP to travel to the United States are comprehensively vetted prior to their departure for the United States, upon arrival at U.S. ports of entry, and during any subsequent air travel within the United States. DHS continually strengthens the VWP to improve both the security and prosperity of the American people.

With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” on this page, the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.