consular affairs: visa wizard - state...consular affairs: visa wizard traveler does not hold an...

CONSULAR AFFAIRS: VISA WIZARD

Were you born in the United States, or were either of your parents U.S. citizens at the time

of your birth?

…or…

YES NO

If you were born in the U.S., or if either of your parents were U.S. citizens at the time of

your birth, you may have a claim to U.S. citizenship. You should investigate this possibility

further before proceeding.

All U.S. citizens must enter the United States on a U.S. passport, regardless of any other citizenship

claims. Please review the information about citizenship at http://portugal.usembassy.gov. If you

believe you may have a valid claim to U.S citizenship, please contact the U.S. Embassy at:

American Embassy

American Citizen Services

Avenida das Forças Armadas

1649-044 Lisbon

If you need to investigate further your possible citizenship, you should not attempt to travel

to the U.S. as a foreign national. Airlines will deny boarding to U.S. citizens not in

possession of a U.S. passport.

Please click X on the upper right corner to close this wizard.

END

http://portugal.usembassy.gov/


Do you hold an individual passport in your own name?

…or…

YES NO


Traveler does NOT hold an individual passport in own name

No - All VWP travelers, including children, must have their own, individual passports.

Children annotated in a parent's passport are not eligible to travel visa free, and must

obtain either their own personal passport or a visa.


END


Type of Passport

What type of passport do you hold?

Regular

Temporary or Emergency

Diplomatic or Official


Diplomatic or Official Passport

If you hold a valid Diplomatic or Official passport from any eligible country, it does not need

to contain a digital photograph or integrated computer chip.

Please note all Diplomatic and Official passport holders traveling on official business must

obtain visas before traveling to the U.S. Only Diplomatic and Official passport holders on

personal travel may use the VWP.

The only requirement is that your passport must be machine readable.

A machine-readable passport has two lines of text as letters, numbers and chevrons

(<<<<) at the bottom of the personal information page, along with the bearer's picture:

Please examine your passport carefully to determine if it meets this requirement. If you

have any doubts, please check with the passport-issuing agency of your country of

nationality.

Does your passport meet these VWP criteria?

…or…

YES NO


Temporary or Emergency Passport

If you hold a valid temporary or emergency passport from any eligible country other than

Germany, it does not need to contain a digital photograph or integrated computer chip. The

only requirement is that your passport must be machine readable.

Note: German temporary and emergency passports do not meet Visa Waiver

Program requirements. Holders of German temporary or emergency passports are

required to apply for a visa or obtain an e-passport with an integrated chip.





nationality.


…or…

YES NO


Are you a full citizen of one of the following countries, with a passport issued by that

country? If so please select one. If not, please select "Other country".

Andorra Germany Luxembourg Slovakia

Australia Greece Malta Slovenia

Austria Hungary Monaco Spain

Belgium Iceland The Netherlands Sweden

Brunei Ireland New Zealand Switzerland

Czech Republic Italy Norway United Kingdom

Denmark Japan Portugal Taiwan

Estonia Latvia Republic of Korea

Finland Liechtenstein San Marino Other Country

France Lithuania Singapore


Austrian Citizens

The rules for various Austrian passports are complex. In general:

Austrian e-passports issued to adults on or after June 16, 2006, with an integrated

computer chip and a digital photo (as opposed to a photograph that is glued or

laminated into the passport) are valid for travel under the VWP until the date on

which they expire.

Austrian passports issued or extended between October 26, 2005 and June 15, 2006

are not valid for travel under the VWP. Holders of such passports require a visa to

travel to the United States. Passports containing the previously used "Vignette" are

not longer valid for travel under the VWP, since the validity of the "Vignettes"

expired on October 26, 2006.

Austrian machine readable passports (including children's passports) issued prior to

October 26, 2005 are valid for travel under the VWP until the date on which they

expire.

Individual children's passport issued between June 16, 2006 and October 25, 2006

are valid for travel until the date on which they expire.

Children's e-passports issued on or after October 26, 2006 with an integrated

computer chip are valid for travel under the VWP.

Machine-readable Austrian temporary, emergency, diplomatic and official

passports are valid for VWP travel regardless of the date of issuance. The only

requirement is that your passport must be machine readable.

Children included in a parent's passport will require a visa to travel to the United

States.

We attempt to keep this Visa Waiver Wizard as up to date as possible, but, after completing

the wizard, we suggest you also check directly on the U.S. Embassy Vienna website at

http://vienna.usembassy.gov/en/index.html for any further changes.

Does your Austrian passport meet these VWP criteria?

…or…

YES NO

http://vienna.usembassy.gov/en/index.html


Austrian passport fails Visa Waiver Program criteria

You are not eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program, and must obtain a new passport

meeting VWP technical and security standards. Please contact the Austrian Embassy to

obtain a passport, or obtain a valid visa for entry into the United States.


END


Germany

Note: The rules for various German passports, German temporary passports, and German

children's passports (Kinderreisepässe) are complex. We attempt to keep this Visa Waiver

Wizard as up to date as possible, but, after completing the wizard, we suggest you also

check U.S. Embassy Berlin's website directly, http://berlin.usembassy.gov, for any

further changes to German passport qualification.

Please note: A child's Kinderausweis is NOT valid for travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

Please select which German passport you possess:

Full-validity German passports

Temporary or emergency passports

German children's passport (Kinderreisepässe) issued on or after October 26, 2006

German children's passport (Kinderreisepässe) issued before October 26, 2006

Diplomatic or official passports

http://berlin.usembassy.gov/


German children's passport (Kinderreisepässe) issued before October 26, 2006

Children's passports (Kinderreisepässe) issued before October 26, 2006 are valid for visa-

free travel to the U.S.


END


German children's passport (Kinderreisepasse) issued after October 26, 2006


meeting VWP technical and security standards. Please contact the German Embassy to



END


German temporary passport


meeting VWP technical and security standards. Please contact the German Embassy to



END


United Kingdom

What is your UK Citizenship status?

British

Citizen

British

Subject

British Dependent

Territories Citizen

British

Overseas

Citizen

British National

(Overseas) Citizen

British

Protected

Person


Not eligible for VWP Travel

You are not eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program, and must possess a valid visa for

entry into the United States.


END


Full Citizen of Other Country




END


Luxembourg Passport Holders

Special note for travelers

Luxembourg passports issued or extended prior to October 26, 2005 are valid for travel

under the Visa Waiver Program.

Luxembourg passports extended after October 26, 2005 are NOT valid for travel under the

Visa Waiver Program

We attempt to keep this Visa Waiver Wizard as up to date as possible, but, after completing

the wizard, we suggest you also check directly on the U.S. Embassy Luxembourg website at

http://luxembourg.usembassy.gov for any further changes.

Please click CONTINUE to proceed

Continue


Swiss Citizens

Special note for Swiss Citizens

For a summary of qualifying Swiss passports, please check directly on the U.S. Embassy

Bern’s website at http://bern.usembassy.gov.

If your passport qualifies for travel under the Visa Waiver Program, please click CONTINUE

to proceed.

Continue

http://bern.usembassy.gov/


When was your passport issued?

Please note: If your passport has been extended or renewed, select the date of the most

recent extension or renewal.

Before October 26, 2005

October 26, 2005 through October 25, 2006

October 26, 2006 and beyond


Passport issued before October 26, 2005

If your passport was issued or renewed/extended before October 26, 2005 and has not

expired, it does not need to contain a digital photograph or integrated computer chip.

The only requirement is that your passport must be machine readable.





nationality.


…or…

YES NO


Passport issued 26 October 2005 through 25 October 2006

If your passport was issued or renewed/extended from October 26, 2005 through October

25, 2006, and has not expired, it may very well qualify for visa free travel until it expires. It

does not necessarily need to be an "e-Passport" with an integrated computer chip.

For passports issued or renewed/extended in this date range, the requirements

are:

1. your passport is machine readable, and

2. your passport contains at least one of the following two features:

a. either a digital photograph, or

b. an integrated computer chip.



A digital photo is one that is printed directly on the data page (as opposed to a photo that is

glued or laminated into the passport.)

(continued on the next page)


Passport issued 26 October 2005 through 25 October 2006 (cont’d)

An e-Passport has an integrated computer chip that holds the same information printed on

the passport's data page. These e-Passports comply with international technical standards

established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). You can identify an e-

Passport with the symbol below on the passport cover:

Please examine your passport carefully to determine if it meets both requirements. (If you


nationality.)

Please select which passport you possess:

Not

machine-

readable

Machine-

readable, but the

photograph is

not digital

Machine-

readable, and

contains a digital

photograph

Machine-readable,

and bears ICAO

seal of an

integrated chip e-

Passport

Machine readable, and

has both digital

photograph and ICAO

seal of an integrated

chip e-Passport


Passport issued 26 October 2006 and beyond

Any passport issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006 must be an "e-

Passport" for the VWP traveler to be eligible to enter the United States visa-free. Most VWP

countries are producing e-Passports well ahead of this deadline.


the passport's data page. These e-Passports must comply with international technical

standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). You can

identify an e-Passport with the symbol below on the passport cover:

Please examine your passport carefully to determine whether it has this symbol. If you have

any doubts, please check with the passport-issuing agency of your country of nationality.

Does your passport bear the ICAO seal of an integrated chip e-Passport?

…or…

YES NO


Biometric passport requirement

Citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and the

Republic of Korea must be in possession of an "electronic passport" to enter the United

States visa free under the VWP.


the passport's data page. These e-Passports must comply with international technical

standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). You can

identify an e-Passport with the symbol below on the passport cover:

Please examine your passport carefully to determine whether it has this symbol. If you have

any doubts, please check with the passport-issuing agency of your country of nationality.

Does your passport bear the ICAO seal of an integrated chip e-Passport?

…or…

YES NO


Length of stay

How long do you intend to stay in the United States?

…or…

90 days or fewer more than 90 days


More than 90 days stay in the United States




END


Purpose of trip?

What is the purpose of your trip?

Business

Transit

Tourism/Holiday


Activity does NOT fall under VWP

You have answered that your intended activity in the United States is not clearly appropriate

under the Visa Waiver Program. Please consult our webpage at portugal.usembassy.gov/type.html

for assistance in determining the proper visa category for your purpose.


END

http://portugal.usembassy.gov/type.html


Business Visit

For the purpose of the Visa Waiver Program, "business" generally refers to business

activities other than the performance of skilled or unskilled labor. Examples of activities that

are allowed include:

engaging in international commercial transactions, which do not involve gainful

employment in the United States (such as a merchant who takes orders in the U.S.

for goods manufactured abroad, or who travels to the U.S. to purchase American-

made goods for export from the U.S.);

negotiating contracts;

consulting with business associates; and

participating in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions,

conferences, or seminars.

The performance of any skilled or unskilled labor - even if it is unpaid - is most always

prohibited. This includes performing work in the U.S. as a trainer or consultant.

Do your proposed business activities meet the VWP criteria?

…or…

YES NO


Transit

Travelers who meet all other criteria for visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program are

eligible to transit through the United States.

If transiting the United States to a destination in Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands,

the traveler may re-enter the United States on the return journey, using any mode of

transport, as long as the total visit (including both periods of time spent in transit and in

Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands) does not exceed 90 days.

If transiting to a destination outside of Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands, the return

journey must be on a qualifying Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier (most major air and

sea lines) but need not be within 90 days, as the traveler will be required to make a new

application for admission.

Travelers transiting the United States to take up residence in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or

the Caribbean Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas.

Do your proposed transit activities meet these VWP criteria?

…or…

YES NO


Means of Entry to United States

Will you enter the United States by air or sea, or by land from Canada or Mexico?

…or…

Air/Sea Land


Entry is by Air/Sea

Do you hold a return or onward ticket (including e-tickets)?

…or…

YES NO


Visa Required

You have stated that you are not in possession of a return or onward ticket, and will

therefore require a visa. Please consult our webpage at portugal.usembassy.gov/type.html

for assistance in determining the proper visa category for your purpose.


END



Traveler holds a return ticket

Note: If traveling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for

presentation to U.S. immigration at the port of entry. (Travelers with onward tickets

terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean Islands must be legal

permanent residents of these areas.)

Are you entering the United States aboard a commercial air or sea carrier that has agreed

to participate in the program?

Almost all major airlines and cruise ship companies have entered into an agreement with

the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry passengers under the Visa Waiver

Program.

Note: Private or official aircraft or vessels do not meet this requirement, the only exception

being aircraft of certain U.S. corporations which have entered into the agreement with

DHS). Please check with your carrier if you have any questions.

…or…

YES NO


Visa Required

You have stated that you are not entering the United States on a VWP signatory carrier, and

will therefore require a visa. Please consult our webpage at

portugal.usembassy.gov/type.html for assistance in determining the proper visa category

for your purpose.


END



Entry by Land

If you are entering by land, you must be in possession of a completed form I-94W, issued

by the immigration authorities at the port of entry, and pay a $6.00 fee, payable only in

U.S. dollars.

Please press CONTINUE to proceed.

Continue


Arrest or Conviction?

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any reason in any country, even if the arrest

did not lead to a conviction, or do you have a criminal record?

Please note: the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law. If you are

unsure, press YES.

…or…

YES NO


Arrests & Convictions

Some applicants are uncertain how to answer the question, "have you ever been arrested?"

In general, minor motoring offenses outside the U.S. that were disposed of by paying a

ticket by mail have no bearing on admission to the United States. Travelers with minor

traffic offenses that did not result in their arrest and/or conviction for the offense may

travel visa free, provided they are otherwise qualified. If you are not sure whether or not

you are eligible to travel visa free, the only way to resolve this question would be to apply

for a visa.

If a traffic offense occurred while you were in the United States, and you have an

outstanding fine against you, or if you did not attend your court hearing, it is possible there

may be a warrant out for your arrest and you will experience significant problems when

applying for admission at the U.S. port of entry. The Embassy cannot assist you in this

regard. You must resolve the issue before traveling, by contacting the court where you were

to appear. If you do not know the address of the court then information is available

at http://www.uscourts.gov/links.html.

Is the full extent of your history of legal violations limited solely to minor traffic offenses

that did not result in your arrest and/or conviction?

…or…

YES NO

http://www.uscourts.gov/links.html


Not Eligible for Travel on Visa Waiver Program



Please note that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law. If you

attempt to travel without a visa, you may be refused entry into the United States at your

personal expense.

Applicants who have been arrested or convicted are also subject to additional

documentation and processing time


END


Any serious, communicable disease?

Do you have a serious, communicable disease of public health significance (including HIV)?

…or…

YES NO


Not Eligible for Travel on VWP

You are not eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program, and must possess a valid visa

for entry into the United States. Please note that your visa application will require additional

documentation and processing time.


END


Mental Illness

Do you have a mental disorder associated with a display of harmful behavior (including self-

harm)? Note: Travelers with mental illnesses can travel visa free under the Visa Waiver

Program provided that their condition does not render them a danger to themselves or

others. They may wish to carry a letter from their doctor to that effect to facilitate their


…or…

YES NO


Previously Denied Entry to the United States

You are not eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program, and must possess a valid visa

for entry into the United States. Please note that your visa application will require additional

documentation and processing time.


END


Denied entry?

Have you ever been denied entry into the United States?

…or…

YES NO


Previously Denied Entry to the United States



If you were given a copy of the report of the incident, Form I-877, by U.S. immigration, you

should bring this with you to the visa interview. If not, you should request a copy from U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Entry where the denial of entry took

place. Further information is available from the CBP website at http://www.cbp.gov/.


END

http://www.cbp.gov/


Deported or Removed?

Have you ever been deported or removed from the United States?

…or…

YES NO


Previously Deported or removed from the United States



You may be prohibited from reapplying for admission into the United States, depending on

the circumstances of your deportation, for up to ten years. Refer to your deportation

documentation if you have questions. If you wish to travel to the United States during

the period of exclusion, you will require a special visa to enter the country.


END


Overstays?

Have you ever overstayed your period of admission to the United States, even by one day?

…or…

YES NO


Overstayed In Country




END


Refused a Visa?

Have you ever been refused a visa?

…or…

YES NO


Refused a visa

As you have been refused a visa, you should consult our webpage for further assistance

before attempting to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.


END

http://portugal.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas/non-immigrant-visa-refusals/


Conclusion

Based on the information you have provided in this Visa Waiver Wizard, you appear to be

eligible to travel visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program. Please note that this assessment

is based only on your responses to the preceding questions and, as such, cannot be

taken as definitive advice. For additional specifics about the VWP please consult the VWP

information on the U.S. Embassy Lisbon website.

Important reminder: Neither possession of a visa, nor meeting the basic requirements for

traveling visa-free on the VWP, guarantees admission to the United States. As with most

countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port

of entry. Visa-free travel does not include those who plan to study, work, or remain more

than 90 days. Such travelers need visas. If an immigration official has reason to believe that

a visa-free traveler is going to study, work or remain longer than 90 days, or has

misrepresented facts regarding his or her travel, the officer is authorized to refuse

admission to the U.S.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver

Program (VWP) are required to obtain travel authorization under the Electronic System for

Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding the air or sea carrier to the United States.

Travelers who do not receive travel authorization prior to their departure may be denied

boarding, experience delays or be denied admission into the United States. Applications

may be submitted at any time prior to travel, but no less than 72 hours prior to departure.

If your registration is successful, it will be valid for multiple applications for two years or

until the date on which your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Before going on line to register, you should ensure that you are qualified to travel under the

Visa Waiver Program otherwise your registration will be rejected. ESTA only authorizes a

traveler to board an air or sea carrier for travel to the United States. It also does not

guarantee entry into the United States; that decision rests with the immigration official at

the Port of Entry in the same way that travelers currently entering the U.S. under the Visa

Waiver Program or with a visa are subject to inspection.

The ESTA website is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Entering the United States by land

Travelers who make their initial entry into the U.S. by land from either Canada or Mexico

are NOT required to travel authorization through ESTA before traveling.

Warning

If your passport was ever been reported lost or stolen to the authorities and then

recovered, please do not attempt to use it for travel to the United States. If you input the

passport details into ESTA, your application will be denied.

http://portugal.usembassy.gov/

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/


Unqualified Passport

As your passport does not meet VWP requirements, you must obtain a qualifying passport

from the passport service of your country of nationality.

If you are unable to obtain a passport that is eligible for VWP, you must apply for a visa to

travel to the United States.

For more information on how to apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy in Portugal, please

click here.


END

http://portugal.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas/how-do-i-apply/

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