You will need a visa unless you qualify to travel without one under the laws of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The Visa Waiver Program was established to promote tourism and to streamline the burden of the Department of State. The program allows a visitor to come to the United States for 90 days if they are a national of one of the participating countries in the program. Even if those two qualifications are met there are additional eligibility requirements to travel without a visa.
The burden on the Department of State and US Consulates overseas is reduced by requiring WVP travelers to apply for authorization with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). While this method eliminates the requirement to have a visa to travel to the United States, foreign travelers will still be subject to inspection when they reach the United States border.
To recap – in order to travel without a visa;
- Your stay must be 90 days or less
- You are a national of a participating WVP country
- You meet all eligibility requirements
- You are granted authorization with ESTA.
Here is a list of participating VWP countries:
