Visa Waiver Program (VWP) — Immigration Data

41 countries whose citizens can enter the US without a visa via ESTA. Primarily European + Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Chile, Israel.

Sources: DHS Yearbook 2023 · DHS Overstay Reports · SEVP SEVIS

VWP Countries

67,680

VWP Naturalizations (FY2023)

0.43%

VWP Overstay Rate

2.22%

Non-VWP Overstay Rate

235,000

VWP SEVIS Students

Naturalizations

US Naturalizations — Top 20 Countries (FY2023) 🔗

Mexico leads at 111K. VWP countries (highlighted) are a small share — 7.7% of 878K total. South Korea and UK are the top VWP naturalizers.

Source: DHS OHSS Yearbook Table 21

VWP Country Naturalizations (FY2023) 🔗

South Korea (12.3K) and UK (11K) dominate. Poland, Taiwan, and France round out the top 5.

VWP Total Naturalizations by Year 🔗

Relatively stable at 65-80K/year, dipped during COVID.

Overstay Rates

VWP compliance is excellent: The average VWP overstay rate is 0.43% vs 2.22% for non-VWP countries. Japan has the lowest rate at 0.10%. Only Chile (2.32%) exceeds 2% — a potential concern given Chile's liberal naturalization policies. Portugal (1.88%) and Spain (1.63%) are the next highest among VWP countries.

VWP Overstay Rates — Countries Above 1% 🔗

Chile stands out at 2.32%. Most VWP countries are well under 1%.

VWP vs Non-VWP Overstay Comparison 🔗

VWP travelers overstay at 1/5th the rate of visa holders. The program's compliance record justifies its existence.

Students (SEVIS)

VWP Country Students in the US 🔗

South Korea (61K), Taiwan (29K), and Japan (26K) dominate. Most European VWP countries send relatively few students.

Green Card (LPR) Grants — VWP Countries (FY2023) 🔗

South Korea (15.8K) and UK (9.7K) lead in green card grants as well.

All 41 VWP Countries — Immigration Summary 🔗

Country	Naturalized (FY23)	Green Cards (FY23)	SEVIS Students	Overstay %