From 26 October 2004, each person wishing to visit the USA must have either:

1.          a Machine Readable Passport and a Visa Waiver form (obtained at the airport on departure) OR

2.          a valid visa which must be obtained before travel from the US authorities

Note that if you want your child to travel with a Visa Waiver form, they must hold their own Machine Readable Passport.

The nationals of some countries can only travel to the USA if they have a valid visa as they are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme.

Countries that qualify are:

* Nationals of these countries must hold a Machine Readable Passport (MRP) in order to travel under the VWP.
Holders of non-MRP passports must obtain a USA visa prior to travelling to the USA.