VWP Adds New Countries
By admin ~ January 9th, 2009. Filed under: General, Travelers, Visitors.
As reported on this website last year, VWP (Visa Waiver Program) added the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic to its list of approved nations. Qualified individuals from these countries are permitted to visit the U.S. without a visa up to 90 days on an E-Passport and approval from ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
However, starting January 12, 2009, travelers from Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic are required to receive authorization from ESTA prior to a visit to the U.S. Without approval on record, individuals may be denied entry. An immigration attorney can help you if there is a problem with ESTA authorization.
The good thing about having an approved ESTA application, they are typically valid for two years. This allows the applicant to make several trips to the U.S. without re-filing each time.
While it is encouraging that some restrictions have been lifted and ESTA is making it easier to travel, there are still many troublesome and unforeseen issues that can block one’s travel plans. It is always best to consult with a qualified immigration attorney before undertaking trips abroad.
