4. SEE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VISA WAIVER

For certain visitors to the United States, the US government has dispensed entirely with the need to obtain any sort of visa prior to traveling here. Don't go running to the airport just yet though, you have to make sure that you satisfy the threshold criteria for this program and that you are aware of the restrictions governing you if you choose to travel visa-less.

The Criteria

This program applies (a) only to citizens of a limited group of countries and (b) only if those citizens are traveling to the United States for 90 days or fewer.

First, make sure your country of citizenship is on this list:

Andorra
Argentina
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
Uruguay

Since this program is new, some countries have only recently been added and more may be in the future. Check with your own country's consulate or your local U.S. embassy to see whether your country participates in this program.

Second, make sure you have a return ticket getting you out of the States before 90 days.

The Process

Under this program, simply purchase your tickets, proceed to the airport, be treated like crap in a tiny seat on the long flight, and then be prepared to withstand an interrogation by US immigration officials upon arriving. They will ask you a series of questions that will go something like this:

  • Why have you come to the U.S.?
  • Where are you going while here?
  • Where are you staying?
  • With whom are you staying?
  • What is your occupation?
  • How long have you worked there?
  • Will you be returning to that job?
  • Do you have a return ticket?
  • Do you have sufficient money?

The whole point of this exercise is (a) to see if you satisfy the criteria of the program, and (b) to make sure that you're not just using the program as a ruse to enter the country with the intention of staying here forever - stealing jobs from Americans and corrupting the moral fabric of this country, you stinkin' for-ee-ner!

Remember, if they're not happy with your answers, they can turn you around and put you on the next flight home - at your expense. So be ready with them answers.

The Limitations

First, you cannot work or study on this visa. We've already gone over the visas you need to do those things, so don't get cute. Second, by this program's definition, you can't stay for more than 90 days. And, third, the program does not allow you to adjust your status while traveling on it - so if you suddenly decide you want to work or study now that you're here in the U.S., lo siento chicos (that is, "sorry boys and girls"), you're still going to have to return home and go through the process we've described for those types of visas.