Immigration and Visa Information

The Department of State (DOS) has issued new details concerning the expansion of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to include the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, and the Slovak Republic. Beginning in mid-November, eligible nationals of these countries may enter the United States for business or tourism visits without the need to apply for a visa, provided that they present a biometric passport and register in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). President Bush first announced the expansion of the VWP last week. Further details on the expansion of the VWP are still expected.

The ESTA Requirement
Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security introduced the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, an online mechanism through which Visa Waiver Program travelers apply for travel clearance up to 72 hours before boarding a carrier bound for the United States. Though ESTA does not become mandatory for most Visa Waiver Program travelers until January 12, 2009, DOS has indicated that nationals of the new VWP member countries may be required to use the new authorization system beginning in mid-November, when expanded VWP membership is expected to take effect. Further clarification of the effective date of the ESTA requirement for nationals of the new member countries is expected to become available in the future.

Passport Requirements
Nationals of the seven new VWP member countries will be required to present an "ePassport" containing a digital photograph printed on the passport data page or an integrated chip containing information from the passport's data page. Note that nationals of pre-expansion VWP countries may be subject to different passport requirements, depending on the date their passport was issued.