The United States has announced a significant expansion of its visa-free travel program in a bid to bolster its tourism industry and welcome a more diverse range of international visitors. This move is expected to simplify access for travelers seeking to explore the country for leisure or business without the need for a visa application.
The tourism sector, which plays a crucial role in the US economy through job creation and tax revenue, has encountered challenges in recent years due to a decline in international visitors. To tackle this issue, the US has widened the scope of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to facilitate entry for eligible citizens from an extended list of countries.
Under the expanded VWP, visitors from the following nations will now enjoy visa-free travel to the US for up to 90 days:
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
These countries, along with 30 others, will now be eligible to visit the US without a visa. This initiative aims to reverse the downward trend in international arrivals and attract more tourists from various nations.
By granting entry privileges to citizens of countries such as Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, and several others, the US hopes to decrease the percentage of total international arrivals categorized as “Rest of the World” from 37% to 35%.