May 5, 2025: In mid-March, DHS announced that it was pausing the implementation of ESTA for Romanian citizens. On May 2, 2025, DHS rescinded Romania’s designation. Original post: On January 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security designated Romania as the 43rd...
As of December 1, 2024, Qatar will be the 42nd member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens of member countries of the VWP may enter the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. In return, U.S. citizens may enter member countries...
Update: The start date for implementation has been moved up to September 19, 2023. Original post:As of November 30, 2023, Israel will be the 41st member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens of member countries of the Visa Waiver Program may enter the United...
On July 6, 2023, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) updated the online Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to exclude persons who are dual nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country and of Cuba. Persons present in Cuba on or after the January 21, 2021...
Updated April 21, 2020The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of up to 90 days without obtaining a physical visitor visa. Citizens and nationals of VWP...
As of November 11, 2019, Poland becomes the 39th member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens of member countries of the Visa Waiver Program may enter the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. In return, U.S. citizens may enter member countries under the same conditions. Beginning on November 11th, Polish citizens may apply online for authorization to travel to the U.S. through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
On May 30, 2019, the U.S. Department of State added required questions about social media accounts or identifiers to the online nonimmigrant and immigrant visa application forms, the DS-160 and DS-260. This means that anyone applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa (a temporary visa) or a U.S. immigrant visa (permanent residence, a green card) must disclose all social media accounts used in the last five years. Social media presumably will be reviewed by U.S. Consular personnel in the course of visa adjudications.
The 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law on December 18, 2015. In addition to funding the U.S. federal government through the 2016 fiscal year, it includes far-reaching, immediately effective changes to the Visa Waiver Program. As background, citizens of the 38 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”) may come to the United States as visitors for business or pleasure without first obtaining visitors’ (B-1 or B-2) visas in their passports. They may visit the U.S. for periods of up to 90 days, provided that they are eligible for admission as visitors under applicable law.
News Release from Jewell & Associates, PC Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may come to the United States as visitors for business or pleasure without first obtaining visitors’ (B-1 or B-2) visas from U.S. Consulates. They may...
