If you are planning a holiday or business trip to the United States in 2026, the US Visa Waiver Program remains the most convenient way to enter the country. This program allows millions of international visitors to skip the traditional visa interview process and enter the US for short stays using a simple online authorization. With the recent expansion of the program, the list of eligible nations has grown, offering visa-free access to even more travelers.
The year 2026 brings updated opportunities for global citizens, with the total number of participating countries now standing at 43. This article provides a verified and updated guide to the program, including the full list of eligible nations, new member countries, and the essential rules you must follow to ensure a smooth journey through US customs.
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Understanding the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA
The Visa Waiver Program is a government initiative managed by the Department of Homeland Security. It allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Instead of visiting a US embassy, travelers apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, commonly known as ESTA.
This automated system determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. An approved ESTA is generally valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows for multiple entries, meaning you can visit the US several times within that validity period, provided each stay does not exceed the 90-day limit.
Newest Additions, Qatar and Romania
The most significant update for travelers in 2026 is the expansion of the eligible country list. The United States recently welcomed Qatar and Romania into the program, marking a major milestone in diplomatic and travel relations.
Qatar officially joined the program in late 2024, becoming the first Gulf nation to be admitted. Following closely, Romania was designated as a participant in 2025 after meeting the strict security and visa refusal rate requirements. Citizens of both nations can now apply for an ESTA and visit the United States without the need for a B-1 or B-2 visa, streamlining travel for both business and leisure.
2026 Updated List of Eligible Countries
The table below lists all 43 countries currently participating in the US Visa Waiver Program as of December 2025. If you hold a valid passport from one of these nations, you are likely eligible to apply for an ESTA.
| Region | Eligible Countries |
| Europe | Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan |
| Middle East | Israel, Qatar |
| Americas | Chile |
Essential Requirements for Travelers
While the Visa Waiver Program simplifies travel, it comes with strict requirements. To qualify, you must hold a passport that is an e-passport with a digital chip containing biometric information. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay, although some country-specific agreements may waive the six-month rule.
Travelers must also have a valid return or onward ticket. This proves to border officials that you do not intend to stay in the United States indefinitely. The program is strictly for short-term visits, so you cannot use an ESTA if you plan to study for credit, work for a US employer, or remain in the country for longer than three months.
Rules for Stays and Extensions
One of the most critical rules of the Visa Waiver Program is the strict 90-day limit. Unlike regular visas, an ESTA entry cannot be extended. If you enter the US under this program, you must depart before your 90 days are up. A brief trip to Canada, Mexico, or nearby islands generally does not reset this clock. If you re-enter the US from these neighboring areas, you will usually be admitted only for the remaining balance of your initial 90-day period.
Overstaying your welcome on an ESTA can have serious long-term consequences. Even a single day of overstay can result in a permanent ban from using the Visa Waiver Program in the future, forcing you to apply for a traditional visa for all subsequent trips.
Key Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a citizen or national of a VWP-designated country.
- You must not possess a visitor visa at the time of applying for admission.
- Your travel must be for 90 days or less.
- The purpose of the trip must be business, tourism, or transit.
- You must arrive via a VWP-signatory carrier (most major airlines and cruise lines).
- You must not have a criminal record or previous immigration violations.
- You must not have traveled to certain restricted countries (such as Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, or North Korea) on or after March 1, 2011.
