What Is B1 and B2 Visa For USA?
What are the differences between them? And how are both different from ESTA?
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The short answer is that unfortunately, Indian citizens are not currently eligible for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to the US. Indian citizens must apply for a traditional Embassy visa, also known as a sticker visa or stamp visa, in order to enter the United States.
But what is ESTA? Who is eligible? And did you know that there are many other countries that do offer expedited electronic travel permissions to Indian citizens?
Read on to learn more about:
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) was created by the US Government in 1986 in order to promote tourism and to facilitate short-term business trips. The first country to participate in the VWP was the United Kingdom, which joined in 1988. At that time, a lack of digital technology meant that ESTA had not yet been created; the Visa Waiver Program was still largely a paper-only-process.
In 2006, advances in technology led to the introduction of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, also known as ESTA. Since that time, the permissions process for VWP has become almost wholly digital, and eligible travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries have found it increasingly easy to apply for, and obtain, ESTA permission to enter the United States. Evisa Express facilitates ESTA applications for members of eligible nations.
The list of nations eligible for ESTA is as follows:
| Andorra | Hungary | Norway |
| Australia | Iceland | Poland |
| Austria | Ireland | Portugal |
| Belgium | Italy | San Marino |
| Brunei | Japan | Singapore |
| Chile | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Czech Republic | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| Denmark | Lithuania | South Korea |
| Estonia | Luxembourg | Spain |
| Finland | Republic of Malta | Sweden |
| France | Monaco | Switzerland |
| Germany | Netherlands | Taiwan |
| Greece | New Zealand | United Kingdom |
The list of countries included on the VWP list is always expanding, but growth happens very slowly. Even Poland, an EU member and a long-time ally of the United States, was only added very recently.
Still, India is a country that has advanced, and continues to advance, very quickly, and it’s reasonable to assume that we will see India on the list of Visa Waiver Program countries in the future.
Till then, Indian citizens will have to stick to the traditional Embassy visa when visiting the United States.
However, it’s important for Indian citizens to note that although the e-visa system for the USA is not currently available to Indian citizens, many other countries do have electronic travel permissions available for Indian citizens.
Evisa Express successfully processes thousands of applications per year for Indian citizens traveling to top tourist and business destinations. See our full services for more information.
Indian citizens seeking to travel internationally with an eVisa have many options, especially when it comes to world-famous tourist destinations. Evisa Express offers eVisa applications for Indian citizens traveling to Kenya, Vietnam, Bahrain, and other locations.
Obtaining an official, government-issued eVisa is easy when you apply with Evisa Express. For most countries, all you need in order to apply are the following documents:
Some countries will have additional requirements, such as an onward/return ticket, or proof of where you’ll be staying during your trip. But Evisa Express makes these requirements clear and easy to understand in every single situation. Our team of eVisa experts is on hand 24/7 to answer all questions and concerns. And after you apply, we’ll also reach out to you in case any information on your application needs to be expanded, updated or corrected. Evisa Express: You take care of your trip; we take care of your visa.
