Visa Wavier Program
"Since the events of September 11, 2001, concerns have been raised about the ability of terrorists
to enter the United States under the visa waiver program (VWP), because the VWP bypasses the
first step by which foreign visitors are screened for admissibility to enter the United States.
Nonetheless, the inclusion of countries in the VWP may help foster positive relations between the
United States and those countries, promote tourism and commerce, facilitate information sharing,
and ease consular office workloads abroad. The VWP allows nationals from certain countries to
enter the United States as temporary visitors (nonimmigrants) for business or pleasure without
first obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate abroad. Temporary visitors for business or pleasure
from non-VWP countries must obtain a visa from Department of State (DOS) officers at a
consular post abroad before coming to the United States. As of October 2010, 36 countries
participate in the VWP..."