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The US Department of State may add Taiwan as a candidate for the United States Visa-Waiver Program (VWP) by next month, according to Taiwan's Foreign Minister Timothy Yang.
"In recent dialogue with us, their high-level officials have been very positive about Taiwan becoming a VWP candidate this year," said Yang.
The VWP enables nationals of participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to apply for a visit visa at the local US Embassy or Consulate. The program was established to eliminate unnecessary barriers to foreigners traveling to the US. In order to be eligible, travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization prior to travel, hold a valid passport, and be screened at the port of entry into the US to be checked against watch lists to prevent criminals from entering the country.
According to Yang, Taiwan is close to achieving the requirements of the VWP:
The only issue that remains to be resolved, he said, was wording in agreements on the exchange of anti-terrorism and criminal information. VWP members are required to enter into an agreement with the US to share information regarding whether a national of that country traveling to the US represents a threat to US security or welfare.
To be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, a country must meet various security related requirements:
Yang, however, would not set a more specific timetable for when the US would make a final decision to allow Taiwan to participate in the VWP, saying that he hopes the goal could be reached as soon as possible.
Once Taiwan has been put on the VWP candidate list, a delegation of US Department of Homeland Security officials will visit the country to determine whether local practices and procedures meet US standards. Following a successful report from Homeland Security, Taiwan can be included in the VWP.
Currently, 36 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, and Germany.
If you would like to apply for a US visa WorkPermit.com can help. WorkPermit.com is a specialist visa consultancy with over twenty years of experience dealing with visa applications. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details.
"In recent dialogue with us, their high-level officials have been very positive about Taiwan becoming a VWP candidate this year," said Yang.
The VWP enables nationals of participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to apply for a visit visa at the local US Embassy or Consulate. The program was established to eliminate unnecessary barriers to foreigners traveling to the US. In order to be eligible, travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization prior to travel, hold a valid passport, and be screened at the port of entry into the US to be checked against watch lists to prevent criminals from entering the country.
According to Yang, Taiwan is close to achieving the requirements of the VWP:
- The U.S. visa rejection rate is below 3 percent;
- Taiwan now issues biometric passports to its citizens
- There is a mandatory in-person passport application procedure for first-time applicants
The only issue that remains to be resolved, he said, was wording in agreements on the exchange of anti-terrorism and criminal information. VWP members are required to enter into an agreement with the US to share information regarding whether a national of that country traveling to the US represents a threat to US security or welfare.
To be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, a country must meet various security related requirements:
- Enhanced law enforcement.
- security-related data sharing with the United States.
- Timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports.
Yang, however, would not set a more specific timetable for when the US would make a final decision to allow Taiwan to participate in the VWP, saying that he hopes the goal could be reached as soon as possible.
Once Taiwan has been put on the VWP candidate list, a delegation of US Department of Homeland Security officials will visit the country to determine whether local practices and procedures meet US standards. Following a successful report from Homeland Security, Taiwan can be included in the VWP.
Currently, 36 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, and Germany.
If you would like to apply for a US visa WorkPermit.com can help. WorkPermit.com is a specialist visa consultancy with over twenty years of experience dealing with visa applications. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details.
