Chile Added to Visa Waiver Program beginning on May 1, 2014

Chile will join 37 other nations as a member of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) beginning on May 1, 2014. The VWP allows the citizens of member countries to travel to the U.S. for periods of stay of up to 90 days without visiting a U.S. Consulate overseas to apply for a B-1/B-2 (business tourist visa) if they meet certain travel and eligibility requirements. These requirements include traveling my common carrier (no private aircraft) and having a machine readable passport. In addition, all individuals seeking to travel to the U.S. using the VWP must still obtain clearance through ESTA a web-based DHS system.

The Visa Waiver Program is typically extended to countries where the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State verify that certain security and information-sharing requirements are in place to ensure safety and security for travelers visits to the U.S. The addition to the VWP does not change any of the requirements for individuals traveling to the U.S. to work.