US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas (Alejandro Mayorkas) said on Tuesday (October 26) that the United States is considering adding four countries to its visa-free program, allowing citizens to stay in the United States visa-free. Up to 90 days.
Currently, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria are the only EU countries whose nationals still require a visa to enter the United States. U.S. citizens can visit any EU country without a visa. The European Commission has been trying to achieve “visa reciprocity” with the United States through mediation.
“We have four candidates in preparation: Israel, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania,” Majorcas said at a tourism event on Tuesday. “We are very, very concerned about the plan,” he added, adding that it provides significant economic and security benefits.
In September, the United States added Croatia to the visa-free program. Roger Dao, chief executive of the American Travel Association, said on Tuesday that the increase in Croatia’s contribution to the U.S. economy was US$100 million. “Every time a country is added, there will be a surge in tourism,” Dow said.
White House August said After President Joe Biden’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Biden emphasized that “his government will strengthen bilateral cooperation with Israel in ways that benefit both American and Israeli citizens, including working together to make Israel has joined the Visa Waiver Program.” “
Majorcas also met with Israel’s American ambassador in August and discussed the issue of immunity.
In February, Mayorkas spoke with Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs of the European Commission, and both parties “expressed their continued interest in maintaining the U.S.-EU passenger name record agreement and cooperating with Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania to meet visa eligibility waiver programs. .”
To participate in the program, a country must meet requirements related to counter-terrorism, law enforcement, immigration law enforcement, document security, and border management.
There are currently 40 countries participating in the plan.
“These requirements include keeping the non-immigrant visa refusal rate below 3%, issuing secure travel documents, and working closely with U.S. law enforcement and counter-terrorism authorities,” the Department of Homeland Security said last month.
(Editing by Georgi Getoff)
