Dispatch: Experts Share Updates to CBP Visa Waiver Program

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Visa Waiver Program (VWP) provides flexibility and convenience for citizens of participating countries arriving to the U.S. The VWP essentially allows certain operators to bring citizens or nationals of 42 countries into the U.S. without a visa. These approved operators, called “signatory carriers,” may be scheduled and non-scheduled commercial operators, or U.S.-based private, non-revenue operators.

“The key benefit is undoubtedly the ease the VWP gives qualifying visitors by making their travel more convenient and efficient,” said Abdul Charafeddin, UAS International Trip Support’s executive vice president – Americas. “Avoiding the visa application process also saves visitors time and money.” In addition, the program provides flexibility in travel schedule, he said.

Recently, Qatar and Israel were added to the list of participating countries. Romanian nationals and citizens will be eligible on March 31, 2025. According to Juan Muniz, GRS product owner at Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., these are the first additions to the VWP participating countries list since Croatia was added in 2021.

Bulgaria and Cyprus may be next on the list. Bulgaria is the only European Union country whose citizens need a visa to travel to the U.S., and Cyprus’ president says his country is in final negotiations for inclusion, Charafeddin said.

To participate in the VWP, some form of reciprocal arrangement is required for U.S. citizens and nationals when traveling to the participating country. Usually this involves traveling visa-free or through a simplified process when traveling for specific purposes and within a designated duration (typically 90 or fewer days).

“While the details of these reciprocal arrangements vary by country, the overall goal is to maintain a mutually beneficial system,” Charafeddin said. “Countries such as Israel and the UK introduced electronic travel authorizations earlier this year, while Schengen countries are expecting to introduce this requirement soon.”

Experts encourage business aircraft operators – commercial or noncommercial – that frequently transport foreign citizens or nationals from the VWP participating countries to apply to become a signatory carrier. Muniz said the application process is not complicated, but applicants should be well-prepared before beginning the process.

“CBP has become more stringent on accepting operators into the VWP. An operator needs to be in good financial standing, have all Customs fees paid in full and commercial operators must have a valid, unexpired Customs bond available for review prior to becoming a signatory carrier,” said Muniz. Signatory carriers must comply with all Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirements, he said.

Each traveler’s ESTA is valid for two years or until a current passport tied to the ESTA expires. At that point the traveler simply needs to reapply with the new travel document information. The traveler can make multiple trips to the U.S. during the entirety of the validity period.

“The ESTA itself also serves as what used to be a paper copy of the arrival/departure record. Now the arrival and departure is tracked utilizing the Advance Passenger Information System [APIS] to ensure travelers do not exceed their temporary 90-day stay,” said Laura Everington, NBAA’s director of international operations and regulations. Signatory carrier agreements are valid for seven years from the date of approval.

Review resources for the Visa Waiver Program and other CBP related materials at nbaa.org/customs.