Visa Waiver Program for Business and Tourism
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of ninety days or less for tourism or for business purposes. Transiting or traveling through the United States to Canada or Mexico is generally permitted for VWP travelers.
Business activities permitted while in the United States on the VWP include:
- Consultations with business associates,
- Contract negotiations,
- Short-term training programs
- Attendance of scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions or conferences.
To learn more about the Visa Waiver Program and other immigration options for business and business travelers, speak to one of our experienced Ohio immigration attorneys.
Things You May Not Do on the Visa Waiver Program
If you are using the Visa Waiver Program for tourism in the United States, you may not study for formal credit at an institution of higher learning in the U.S. This does not prevent you from participating in something like a two-day cooking class or a four-hour class on first aid.
You also may not accept employment in the United States or work as a journalist for a foreign newspaper or other media organization.
Countries Included in Visa Waiver Program
Only citizens and nationals of the 38 nations listed below are eligible for the Visa Waiver Programs. All others must obtain an appropriate visa. An experienced Columbus immigration attorney can help. The 38 VWP nations are:
Andorra, Australia, and Austria; Belgium, Brunei, and Chile; the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Estonia; Finland, France, and Germany; Greece, Hungary, and Iceland; Ireland, Italy, and Japan; Latvia, Liechtenstein, and Lithuania; Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco; the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Norway; Portugal, San Marino, and Singapore; Slovakia, Slovenia, and South Korea; Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about immigration, visas, the Visa Waiver Program, green cards, or naturalized citizenship in the United States, obtain the legal advice you can count on by contacting an experienced Columbus immigration attorney at Shihab Burke, LLC, Attorneys At Law. We have offices in Dublin and Columbus, Ohio, Michigan, and Texas. But we also work with clients nationwide and even all around the world.
