The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens from certain countries to travel to United States for periods up to 90 days without obtaining visas. Currently 35 countries participate in the program. A complete list is available from the U.S. Department of State. The United Kingdom refers only to British citizens who have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It does not refer to British overseas citizens, British dependent territories' citizens, or citizens of British Commonwealth countries.
Important: All visitors coming under the VWP are required by law to obtain travel authorization prior to entering the U.S. This authorization is obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security.
The VWP status allows the visitor to stay for a period of up to 90 days. No extensions are allowed. Change to another status within the U.S. is not allowed .
The visitor will be given an arrival/departure card (I-94) on the plane. This card must be completed and will be stamped by a USCIS official at a U.S. port of entry.
When planning for an overseas visitor who receives an honorarium payment or reimbursement of expenses, the hosting department should contact the MU nonresident alien taxation specialist in the Office of Cashiers for a preliminary review of the visitors tax obligations. During the brief stay, the visitor also must meet with the specialist.
Step 1. Visitor receives a letter of invitation from the hosting MU department. The letter must include: a statement of invitation, the exact dates of the visit, the purpose of the trip, activities during visit and funding source information. (Sample letter.)
Step 2. Visitor obtains travel authorization through ESTA.
Step 3. Visitor enters the U.S.
Step 4. Visitor presents to the customs officer:
For the most current information, go to the U.S. Department of State.
For more information about claiming tax benefits, tax treaty exemptions from withholding of federal tax, and payment for persons in visitor status (B-1, B-2, VWP and Canadians without documentation who are, nonetheless, in the U.S. for business or tourism purposes) and more, consult the MU Office of Cashiers.
