On October 17, 2008, the White House announced the inclusion of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and South Korea in the Visa Waiver Program. Already in effect for numerous countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Japan, the Visa Waiver Program enables citizens of approved countries to travel to the U.S. for business or tourism without first applying for a business visitor or tourist visa at a U.S. Consulate.

Admission under the visa waiver program is limited to three months per visit and extensions of stay in or changes of status from this status are not permitted.