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The Visa Waiver Program enables citizens from certain countries to travel to US for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The list of countries eligible under this program was expanded in November 2008 to include Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic. A complete list of countries could be found on the U.S. Department of State website. 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 will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to coming to US, starting January 12, 2009. This authorization will be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security. For more information regarding ESTA and in order to log in to the system please visit the following website: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/.

The VWP status only 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 also NOT allowed.

The visitor will be given an Arrival/Departure card (I-94) on the plane to fill out. This card will be stamped by the INS official at a U.S. port-of-entry.
When planning for an overseas visitor who will be provided an honorarium payment or reimbursement of expenses, the department should contact Judy Todd, the MU Nonresident Alien Taxation Specialist at ToddJ@missouri.edu for a preliminary review of the tax obligations of the visitor and to schedule a tentative appointment for them to meet during the visitor's brief stay at MU.

Entering the U.S. in WB Status

Step 1. Visitor needs to receive a letter of invitation from the MU department. The letter of invitation needs to include: statement of invitation, exact dates of visit, purpose of the trip, activities during visit, is funding provided, if no funding is provided what is the funding (i.e. personal funds, etc.) See Sample Letter.

Step 2. Visitor needs to obtain a travel authorization through ESTA.

Step 3. Visitor enters the U.S.

Step 4. Visitor needs to present 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 US for business or tourism purposes) etc. go to the Office the Cashiers web page to learn about paying non-resident aliens.