U.S. Consulate General Press Releases (2000)

Visa Waiver Pilot Program Benefits to Continue Pending Action by U.S. Congress

News Release
April 27, 2000
Thursday

Persons with passports from Portugal and other countries who normally travel to the United States on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) may continue to do so through May 30 while the U.S. Congress considers the extension of the program.

Although the VWPP is due to expire at midnight on April 30, the U.S. Department of State is working closely with the U.S. Congress to extend the program or to make it permanent. Since this may not be possible before April 30, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has developed procedures to ensure that nationals of participating countries will not be affected by a temporary lapse in the VWPP. Persons who normally travel on the program may continue to do so.

The VWPP enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without a U.S. visa. This program applies to Macau residents who have Portuguese citizenship and hold Portuguese national passports. It does not apply to residents of Macau holding a Portuguese Aliens Passport (Passporte para Estrangeiros) or a Macau SAR passport, who will continue to require a visa.

Additional background information about the Visa Waiver Pilot Program:

To qualify, travelers from participating countries must have proof of financial solvency. If entering by air or sea, travelers must have a visa waiver arrival/departure form (I-94W), which is available from a signatory carrier.

Entry at an overland crossing point from Canada or Mexico is permitted under the VWPP. Such travelers are not required to present round-trip tickets or arrive at the border point on a participating carrier. All other VWPP requirements apply.

No extensions of stay beyond 90 days and no changes of status are allowed under the VWPP. Just as for visitors on B1/B2 visas, VWPP travelers cannot work or study. Certain travelers still need to apply for a visa, such as those who plan to work or study, stay more than 90 days, or who might otherwise be ineligible for a visa.

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Additional background on the VWPP

 

Following is the text of the State Department announcement:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

August 3, 1999
99/687

STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN

Citizens of Portugal, Singapore and Uruguay May Travel on Visa Waiver Program as of August 9

The Department of State is pleased to announce that as of August 9, citizens of Portugal, Singapore and Uruguay may begin traveling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. The VWPP enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without a U.S. visa. There are now 29 actively participating VWPP countries.

As previously announced, the Attorney General also has approved Greece for participation in the VWPP, but additional preparatory work needs to be accomplished before citizens of Greece will be permitted to enter the U.S. under this program. Expert-level consultations are now underway with Greece that will enable its citizens to participate in the VWPP soon.

Regulations were published in the Federal Register for Portugal, Singapore and Uruguay on August 3, and all airlines have been notified of the changes.

The criteria for VWPP inclusion are a low rate of visitor visa refusals, reciprocal treatment of U.S. nationals, a program for issuance of machine-readable passports, and a determination by the Attorney General that a country's inclusion would not damage U.S. law enforcement interests. To qualify, travelers from participating countries must:

-- If entering by air or sea, have a visa waiver arrival/departure form (I-94W), which is available from a signatory carrier.

-- Have proof of financial solvency.

-- Entry at an overland crossing point from Canada or Mexico is permitted under the VWPP. Such travelers are not required to present round-trip tickets or arrive at the border point on a participating carrier. All other VWPP requirements apply.

No extensions of stay beyond 90 days and no changes of status are allowed under the VWPP. Just as for visitors on B1/B2 visas, VWPP travelers cannot work or study. Certain travelers still need to apply for a visa, such as those who plan to work or study, stay more than 90 days, or who might otherwise be ineligible for a visa.

The 26 other participating countries are: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. The VWPP was originally legislated by Congress in 1986 and implemented in 1988. Congress most recently authorized the VWPP through April 30, 2000.

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