Chile Designated into Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

On February 28, 2014, DHS designated Chile into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Certain Chilean passport holders may enter the US without obtaining a US visa as of May 1, 2014. Requirements for participation include an approved ESTA.

Congress created the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in 1986 to allow visa-free travel for nationals of pre-approved countries for tourism, business, transit and medical purposes. The first entries under the program began in 1988. Advantages of the VWP include US travel on short notice, and saving the time and expense of obtaining a US visa. At this time, Chile joins 37 countries who now participate in the Visa Waiver Program. The VWP enables eligible individuals to enter the US for up to 90 days. In FY2013, VWP entries comprised about 60%, or 19.6 million, of US visits for tourism or business via air.

Features that qualify a country for the VWP include low US visa overstay, visa violation and visa refusal rates. Other such Countries who wish to participate in the VWP must demonstrate compliance with key security and information-sharing requirements. These include enhanced law enforcement and security-related data-sharing with the US. Participation also requires timely reporting of lost and stolen passports to ensure adequate security. Finally, VWP participants must maintain high standards in counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, aviation and document security.

Eligible travelers must apply for advanced authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to travel to the US via air or cruise ship. Children and infants must also apply for ESTA. They must have an ESTA approval before entering the US. Individuals whose ESTA is denied may still enter the US by obtaining a visitor visa. Finally, entry on the Visa Waiver Program precludes any change of status to other nonimmigrant or immigrant visa while in the US because the entry is a waiver of a visa, not a visa.