In order for any traveler to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, all the requirements listed below must be met:

• Must be a citizen of a country that participates in Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
  
  
• Must be visiting the United States for 90 days or less for tourism or business.
  
  Visitors for Business
  Types of activities permitted as a business visitor:
  • Participation in commercial business transactions that do not involve gainful employment in the U.S., e.g., negotiating contracts or consulting with business associates.
  • You cannot receive a salary or wages from a U.S. source.
  • Participation in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences or seminars.
  • Independent research activities.
  • Appearance as a witness in a court trial.
  More details about a business visa.
  
  Visitors for Pleasure
  While this is not a complete listing, here are the general types of activities permitted:
  • Visiting friends and relatives, touring or vacationing, visits for rest.
  • Visits for medical treatment.
  • Participating in conventions, conferences, or convocation of fraternal or social organizations.
  • Amateurs participating in sports, musical, and other events or contests not receiving money or other remuneration in return.
  More details about a visitor visa.
  
  Duration of 90 days includes time spent in Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands.
  
  Persons transiting through the United States are eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
  
  
• Meets all proper passport requirements.
  Details.
  
  
• No criminal record.
  
  
• Traveler has complied with the terms and conditions of previous admissions into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
  
  
• Is not eligible for a U.S. visa.
  Visa ineligible classes.
  
  
• If entering by air or sea, have a round-trip transportation ticket issued on a carrier that has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to participate in the VWP, and arrive in the United States aboard such a carrier. Signatory carriers are those that have signed an agreement to guarantee transportation out of the United States if you are found inadmissible or deportable.
  
  You can find a list of participating VWP carriers by writing to:
  FP&F
  Attn: Immigration Fines
  1300 Pennsylvania Avenue
  Washington, DC  20229
  
  
• Has a round-trip ticket to a foreign destination other than the U.S. or adjacent islands.
  
  If you have an electronic ticket, you must carry a copy of the itinerary.
  
  If you are resident of Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands and a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you don't have to show the requirements for onward travel to other foreign destinations.
  
  
• If arriving by land, the traveler must demonstrate sufficient funds to support himself/herself in the U.S. and the intent to stay 90 days or less in the U.S.
  
  
• Hold a completed and signed Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record, Form I-94W (fee of $6 when entering by land, payable only in U.S. dollars), on which he/she has waived the right of review or appeal of an immigration officer’s determination about admissibility or deportation. These forms are available through participating carriers, travel agents, and at land-border ports-of-entry.
  
  Answers to the questions A through G must be 'no' on the Form I-94W.
  
  
• Have not been refused a U.S. visa.
  
  
• Is not a safety threat to the U.S.
  
  

If you make a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands during your visit to the U.S. in the Visa Waiver Program, you can be admitted into the U.S. for the remainder of the original 90 days entry period. You will NOT get another 90 days entry.

If you are entering on federal government business or as members of the media, you cannot enter under the Visa Waiver Program. Members of the media should obtain a  media visa.

If you are not sure whether your activities fall under the allowed purposes under the Visa Waiver Program, you should check with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before attempting to travel under the  Visa Waiver Program.

Wherever there is mention of adjacent islands, it means Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Marie-Galante, Martinique, Miquelon, Montserrat, Saba, Saint-Barthelemy, Saint Christopher, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, other British, French and Netherlands territory or possessions bordering on the Caribbean Sea.

Transportation carriers (airlines, ships, cruises, etc.) transporting anyone under the Visa Waiver Program who is found to be ineligible to enter the United States can be fined up to $3,300 per violation. Of course, travelers who know that they are ineligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program should not attempt to travel to the United States simply hoping to be granted entry.