Andorra passport holders cleared for visa-free US business and tourist trips

Citizens of 42 countries can travel to the United States for business or tourism without obtaining a visa in advance, under US government policy for the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). Eligibility for the scheme is tied strictly to a traveller's citizenship or nationality.

Key facts

• 42 countries are currently included in the programme
• Travel is covered for short-term business and tourism purposes only
• Eligibility depends on citizenship or nationality, not on residence
• Permanent residents of participating countries do not qualify automatically
• No African country is on the list; those travellers must apply for a visa before departure

Which countries are on the list?

The 42 nations currently included are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

European nations make up the majority of the designated countries. Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan represent the Asia-Pacific region, Qatar is the only Middle Eastern inclusion, and Chile is the sole South American country on the list.

Who is excluded?

Eligibility rests on citizenship alone. Permanent residents and holders of other immigration statuses in VWP-designated countries do not qualify automatically and must follow the standard visa application process.

No African country currently appears on the list. Citizens of African nations must obtain the appropriate US visa before departure regardless of the purpose of their trip.

What does the programme cover?

The Visa Waiver Programme is designed for short-term travel for tourism and business. That makes it relevant to professionals attending conferences or meetings or carrying out brief commercial activities in the United States, without the delays of a full consular visa application.

Travellers from countries not on the list who are going for business purposes must apply for a B-1 business visa or a combined B-1/B-2 visa through the standard US consular process.

What this means for travellers

• Check whether your nationality appears on the list before booking travel to the United States.
• If you are a permanent resident rather than a citizen of a listed country, plan for the standard visa application process.
• Citizens of African countries should allow time to secure a US visa before departure, whether travelling for business or tourism.
• Business travellers from non-listed countries need a B-1 or combined B-1/B-2 visa.

No changes to the list or new dates have been announced; the 42 countries reflect current US government policy.