<i>&gt;, because by default it&#x27;s assumed that I&#x27;m planning to remain there illegally, and is my job to convince the employee of the opposite.</i><p>The countries that the USA doesn&#x27;t require hoop jumping are basically 1st-world wealthier nations on par with the United States.  (See map.[1])  The countries that are considered &quot;poorer&quot; such as Mexico, etc require Visas because of the assumption that the person wants to establish a better life in the USA.   The USA doesn&#x27;t have to worry about illegal immigration from citizens of Switzerland, Canada, Japan, etc.<p>[1]<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Visa_Waiver_Program" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Visa_Waiver_Program</a>