Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in Charleston, SC

Currently, 37 countries participate in a U.S. program that does not require a visa to enter our country for short-term travel and tourism only. Participants in this Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can only stay a maximum of 90 days and cannot work, study, or change their immigration status to another category upon arrival. Currently, the participating countries are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

This program eliminates the need for consular processing, which requires fees and an interview; saves costs and manpower for the U.S.; and shifts processing to the airport customs officials and CBP, who are often working with the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Kiosk Program.

Please remember that the DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have absolute discretion and authority to admit or deny any traveler requesting admission into the U.S. should they believe or determine that the traveler poses a threat to the U.S. or their entry visa paperwork is not in order. Just because you have obtained a valid visa from your embassy or consulate processing does not guarantee your entry. Border review is the final step. Inadmissibility can be for the commission of fraud, drug trafficking, smuggling, overstaying on a previous visa, fraudulent document submission, criminal record, or terrorism.

If this occurs to you, the CBP can detain you and put you on the next flight home, allow you to remain in the airport's secured area, or allow you a temporary exit for a limited time to consult with an attorney. By all means, seek legal consultation to explore your options for a waiver of inadmissibility. We can provide that consultation.