New Ruling for U.S. Visa Waiver Program

Source(s): U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citizens of 38 countries –including Singapore, were previously permitted to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays up to 90 days without a visa.

Effective 05 August 2019, travellers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

• Nationals of VWP countries who have travelled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Yemen on or after 01 March 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
• Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.

E-Passport
Side note: As of 01 April 2016, travellers must have an e-Passport to use the VWP. An e-Passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip, readily identifiable from its unique international symbol on the cover.

Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)
All eligible international travellers who wish to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must apply for ESTA. Please note that authorisation via ESTA does not determine whether a traveller is admissible to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers determine admissibility upon travellers’ arrival.