How does the Visa Waiver Program work?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or other reasons without obtaining a visa. Citizens of 38 approved countries are allowed to participate in the VWP. In order to use the VWP, travelers must have both a valid electronic passport and a completed Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application. An ESTA application must be made at least 72 hours before travel. The application requires basic information such as name, date of birth, address, passport information, and the purpose of travel. Once the ESTA application is approved, travelers are then allowed to enter the US for up to 90 days, depending on the purpose of the visit. Those visiting for educational purposes can stay for the duration of the studies with an F-1 visa. Students under the VWP may not be allowed to take part in any type of employment or receive payment for their services. Upon entering the US, travelers must present their ESTA information and passport to an approved Port of Entry. The Visa Waiver Program is an useful tool for international students who wish to study in the US. As long as travelers comply with the program’s rules and regulations, they are allowed to stay for a certain amount of time without having to obtain a visa.

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El Programa de Exención de Visas (Visa Waiver Program) es un programa implementado por el gobierno de Estados Unidos que permite a los visitantes de ciertos países establecidos legalmente ingresar al país, sin la necesidad de obtener una visa. La exención de visas se aplica para los viajes de turismo o negocios de hasta 90 días. Ciertos países han acordado un acuerdo de exención de visas con Estados Unidos. Estos países son Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bélgica, Brunei, Chile, República Checa, Dinamarca, Estonia, Finlandia, Francia, Alemania, Grecia, Hungría, Islandia, Irlanda, Italia, Japón, Corea del Sur, Letonia, Liechtenstein, Lituania, Luxemburgo, Malta, México, Países Bajos, Nueva Zelanda, Noruega, Portugal, San Marino, Singapur, Eslovenia, Eslovenia, España, Suecia, Suiza,Taiwán y Reino Unido. Antes de viajar a los Estados Unidos, los visitantes deben obtener una autorización electrónica de viaje (ESTA). Esta es una aplicación en línea que los visitantes deben completar y someter para obtener autorización de ingreso al país. La aprobación de la autorización de viaje (ESTA) otorga el derecho a los visitantes para ingresar a los Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, la autorización de viaje (ESTA) no garantiza el derecho de entrada al país. Es por ello que los oficiales de inmigración pueden someter a los solicitantes a entrevistas adicionales para determinar si cumplen con todos los requisitos de inmigración.

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