The EU-US Travel Agreement: What It Means for Travelers

If you`re planning a trip to the United States from the European Union, you may be wondering about the EU-US travel agreement. This agreement has been in place since 2008 and has made it easier for Europeans to travel to the US without needing a visa.

What is the EU-US Travel Agreement?

The EU-US travel agreement allows citizens of 22 European countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. These countries include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

What are the Benefits of the EU-US Travel Agreement?

The main benefit of the EU-US travel agreement is that it makes it easier for Europeans to travel to the United States. Prior to the agreement, travelers from these countries had to apply for a visa, which could be a time-consuming and expensive process. Now, they can simply fill out an online application and receive authorization to travel to the US within minutes.

In addition, the EU-US travel agreement has also made it easier for US citizens to travel to Europe. Americans can now travel to any of the 26 countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days without a visa.

What are the Requirements for Traveling under the EU-US Travel Agreement?

To travel to the United States under the EU-US travel agreement, you must meet certain requirements. First, you must be a citizen of one of the 22 European countries listed above. Second, you must be traveling for business, pleasure, or medical reasons and stay in the US for no longer than 90 days.

You will also need to apply for authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before your trip. This online application process is easy and can be completed in minutes. Once you receive authorization, it is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

It`s important to note that the EU-US travel agreement does not give travelers the right to work in the US. If you plan to work in the US, you will need to apply for a work visa.

In Conclusion

The EU-US travel agreement has made it easier for Europeans to travel to the United States without needing a visa. With an easy online application process and authorization that lasts for two years, planning a trip to the US has never been easier. However, it`s important to remember that the agreement only allows for travel for business, pleasure, or medical reasons and does not give travelers the right to work in the US.