New eligibility requirements for travel under the VWP and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?

The VWP permits citizens of 38 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. In return, those 38 countries must permit U.S. citizens and nationals to travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes.

Since its inception in 1986, the VWP has evolved into a comprehensive security partnership with many of America’s closest allies. The VWP, administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the State Department, utilizes a risk-based, multi-layered approach to detect and prevent terrorists, serious criminals, and other mala fide actors from traveling to the United States. This approach incorporates regular, national-level risk assessments concerning the impact of each program country’s participation in the VWP on U.S. national security and law enforcement interests. It also includes comprehensive vetting of individual VWP travelers prior to their departure for the United States, upon arrival at U.S. ports of entry, and during any subsequent air travel within the United States.

Taiwan expected to be approved for Visa Waiver Program in 2012

Taiwan expected to be approved for Visa Waiver Program in 2012

On Dec. 22, Eric H. Madison, acting director of the American Institute in Taiwan, announced Taiwan’s candidacy for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If approved, the program is expected to go into effect in the latter half of next year. Taiwan would join 36 other countries currently approved for the VWP. When the program goes into effect, there will be an immediate financial benefit for Taiwanese travelers to the U.S. Instead of paying $143 for a visa at AIT, travelers only need to pay $14 when completing the online application at Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). It is estimated that 150,000 non-immigrant visas were issued to Taiwanese last year.