US adds 7 countries to visa waiver list

The United States government will add seven more countries to the list of states whose citizens can travel to the US without a visa. The Philippines is not included in the list of visa-free countries.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will formally announce the addition of seven allies to the list of countries authorized to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) that includes: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia, according to news released by the US embassy in Manila.

The DHS said beginning Jan. 12, 2009, eligible citizens or nationals from all VWP countries must obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States under the VWP.

“We are especially pleased to welcome these allies into the Visa Waiver Program,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

“Expanding the number of countries whose citizens can travel to the US without a visa increases business and social ties between our countries and at the same time deepens cooperation on required security measures.”

The administration sought authority for years to reform the VWP. DHS received authorization through the issuance of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

Under the VWP, eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries are allowed to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

To be admitted to the VWP, a country must meet various statutory requirements, such as more enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States and timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports.

VWP members are also required to maintain high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.

The citizens or nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Philippines? ummm, read again...

To be admitted to the VWP, a country must meet various statutory requirements, such as more enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States and timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports.

VWP members are also required to maintain high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.

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