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In hopes of creating a more convenient travel experience for visitors, the U.S. Department of State created the Visa Waiver Program, which gives citizens of certain countries the privilege of entering the U.S. without visas. As the process of obtaining a travel visa to the United States can be lengthy, this is great news for certain countries.

The U.S. Department of State decides whether or not a country qualifies for the VWP based on risk assessment and economic factors, and the list of nations is changing rapidly. Certain countries which were once eligible are now no longer in the program; in addition, more countries will be joining in the coming years.

There are 35 nations that are participating in the Visa Waiver Program at this time: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Brunei, Belgium, the Czech Republic Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the Slovak Republic.

There are some restrictions for citizens who wish to travel using the Visa Waiver Program. First, they have to fill out an online application and be approved by the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

They also have to possess a valid passport, and it must include a barcode or chip that can be read by a machine. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 90 days after they return to their home country. Finally, travelers must arrive on an approved carrier, by air or sea, and be able to show sufficient funds to cover their living expenses throughout their stay.

At the time of entrance, the person must complete a form called a Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver, or I-94W. An agent from U.S. Customs will review the form and interview the traveler accordingly.

Questions such as, ‘what is the purpose of you stay in the United States’ are common, as visitors are limited tourism or business purposes. Under the Visa Waiver, the individual must exit the country no later than 90 days after entry.

The profit for the United States and participating nations has been more than merely financial. Because of the Visa Waiver Program, the world’s countries seem to be growing closer in both distance and relationship. If you are interested in obtaining a visa you can see:

Green Card Through Marriage

K1 Visa & Fiance Visa

B1 Visa

US Visa

As the capital city of Sweden and also its largest, Stockholm is full of life and character. It is situated on fourteen islands on Sweden’s East Coast at the meeting point of the Baltic Sea and Lake Malaren, and the abundance of scenic waterways has led to the city being dubbed ‘The Venice of the North’. The city is composed of about one-third water and one-third park, giving it a very balanced mix of beauty and utility. Due to Stockholm’s location in the far north, the city experiences differing amounts of daylight, from only six hours of daylight in the winter to about eighteen during the summer months. However, Stockholm is not as cold as one might imagine given its northerly location. In fact, the summer temperatures are surprisingly warm at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the winter average is close to 30 degrees. Although it rains frequently, there is not very much snow in this part of Sweden in the winter.

Stockholm is a very modern city and technological center. The Swedish government and monarchy are based here. As the country’s financial center, a number of companies and Swedish banks are headquartered in the city such as Ericsson and Swedbank, as well as the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Stockholm enjoys extremely clean air for a city of its size due to the lack of factories. There is plenty for the many tourists who are attracted to Stockholm each year to do. In fact, one could fill up an entire trip here with visits to museums alone- the city boasts around one hundred museums. Among these is the world’s first open-air museum, the Skansen, which is a collection of various buildings and scenes which display Sweden’s rich history and culture. A visit to the Drottningholm Palace is reminiscent of a fairy tale palace, with tremendous luxury and architecture surrounded by lush gardens. Stockholm also has a well-rounded theater community as well as the famous Grona Lund amusement park. The public transportation system in Stockholm is very well-connected and easy to use. Options include urban and suburban rail, bus lines, metro, light rail, and boat lines. One can also travel directly from Stockholm to locations in Finland, Estonia, and Latvia via ferry. There are a number of annual events that take place in Stockholm. The Stockholm Marathon, held in June, is considered one of the best marathons in the world. There is also the Stockholm Jazz Festival held every July.

In December, the city is host to the Nobel Banquet and ceremony where the prestigious Nobel prizes are announced. Stockholm is a very exciting city that is full of surprises. It is active and bustling yet clean and peaceful. It is modern and on the cutting edge, yet full of culture and history. The weather is relatively mild and there is always something interesting happening throughout the year. And with its stunning layout across the islands in the water, it is equally breathtaking during the day as well as when it is lit up at night and truly earns its nickname as “The Venice of the North.”

Ethical travel is a bit of a buzzword these days with websites, blogs, books and numerous other communication forms giving advice on how to travel ethically, as well as specialised companies dedicated to selling ethical holidays.

The Developing World’s Top 10 Ethical Destinations

Ethical travel is a bit of a buzzword these days with websites, blogs, books and numerous other communication forms giving advice on how to travel ethically, as well as specialised companies dedicated to selling ethical holidays.

It’s no surprise then that website www.ethicaltraveler.org have created a list of the developing world’s 10 best ethical destinations. They describe ethical travel as ‘mindful travel: an awareness of our impact as we explore the world’.

The list is based on countries with good environmental protection, social welfare and human rights. Ethical Traveller hopes that this list will help travellers choose destinations where their holiday dollars will be used to support human rights and the environment.

Top 10 Best Ethical Destinations

Argentina

Bolivia

Bulgaria

Chile

Costa Rica

Croatia

Estonia

Namibia

Nicaragua

South Africa

This list, and a general shift in opinion regarding ethics and travel, reflects the rising number of savvy travellers out there who are aware and concerned about where their holiday money is going.

I personally have never really considered ethics when travelling. I certainly don’t plan to travel unethically, but at the same time, haven’t made any conscious decision to spend my money where it might be used to improve the local environment or help local people. It’s just not something I have considered before.

Am I the only one?

Are we really concerned with ethics when choosing holiday destinations? Is it something you consider when planning a holiday? Are we willing to spend more to be more ethical?