Category: Visa Waiver

On August 6, 2015, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh C. Johnson announced the agency’s intent to implement security enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). He said that DHS, along with the Department of State and other federal agencies, will begin introducing “a number of additional or revised security criteria” for all VWP… Read More

As of November 1, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Taiwan for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said the move was “a major step forward in our long-standing economic partnership with Taiwan.” Taiwan joins 36 participants in the VWP, which permits visa-free travel for eligible travelers visiting… Read More

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on August 9, 2012, that multiple applications may be submitted and paid for in one transaction via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The new online application is available beginning on Wednesday, August 15. Applicants must enter biographic data and an e-mail address to create a Group… Read More

The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for May 2011 noted that demand in the employment first preference is extremely low compared with that of recent years. Absent an immediate and dramatic increase in demand, this category is expected to remain “Current” for all countries. It also appears unlikely, the Bulletin says, that a second preference… Read More

All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) emergency or temporary passports now must be electronic passports (e-Passports) to be eligible for travel to the U.S. without a visa. This includes VWP applicants who present emergency or temporary passports to transit the U.S. An e-Passport contains an integrated chip that stores biographic data, a digitized photograph, and other… Read More