From Homeland Security:
"DHS Announces Taiwan’s Designation into the Visa Waiver Program"
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the designation of Taiwan into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - streamlining travel for thousands of eligible Taiwan passport holders, while maintaining strong security standards. “Today’s announcement is a major step forward in our long-standing economic partnership with Taiwan,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Taiwan’s participation in the VWP will not only stimulate tourism in the United States, it will also enable us to work together to maintain the strictest security standards.” Taiwan will join 36 participants in the VWP—which permits visa-free travel to the United States for eligible travelers visiting the United States for 90 days or fewer for business or tourism. In Fiscal Year 2011, the VWP accounted for 18.3 million visits to the United States, or more than 60 percent of tourist and business travelers entering the United States by air. In accordance with the VWP designation process, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determined that Taiwan complies with key security and information-sharing requirements - such as enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States; timely reporting of lost and stolen passports; and the maintenance of high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, aviation and document security standards.
Like other VWP travelers, eligible Taiwan passport holders will be required to apply for advanced authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a DHS Web-based system. Eligible Taiwan passport holders with an approved ESTA will be able to visit the United States without visas as of November 1, 2012. Today’s announcement supports President Obama’s Executive Order on travel and tourism, directing federal agencies to expand the nation’s ability to attract and welcome visitors, while maintaining the highest standards of security. In Fiscal Year 2011, 243,186 visitors from Taiwan traveled to the United States.
^ I believe there are many countries that deserve to be in the Visa Waiver Program and Taiwan is one of those countries and as of November 1st it will be included (although only those with a Taiwanese national ID number.) Taiwan was recognized as the sole China from 1948-1970s and then most of the world - including the US - simply dropped them and moved on to the People's Republic. I think that is wrong and that if nothing else a country can recognize both as separate Chinas. Both the Republic and People's Republic allow their citizens to travel between the two countries - with a special permit - so if they can then why can't the rest of the world. As I already wrote I think more countries should be allowed into the VWP. Countries like: Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Croatia, Cyprus, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Israel, etc. These are the countries the US government is in "talks" with to joining the VWP. Argentina used to be in the VWP and was taken off in 2002 because of their economic problems, but it seems to have re-bounded 10 years later. While the Visa Waiver Program is for those people who want to come to the US as tourists for 90 days there should also be a relaxing of those countries that need Transit Visas to land in the US for a day or two while going to another country. The ESTA (which all VWP citizens need and have to pay $14) should also be free. Hopefully, the Visa Waiver Program will be expanded even more sooner to show that the US wants tourists to come, see the country and spend their money rather than isolate itself and make it so difficult for tourists to come. ^
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.