The United States has announced intentions to expand its visa-free travel programme in an effort to strengthen its tourism industry and welcome a wider range of foreign visitors.
This move is expected to make it easier for visitors to enter the nation for business or leisure, without having to deal with the hassle of applying for a visa.
A declining number of foreign tourists has presented issues for the tourism industry, which is a major source of tax income and job creation for the US economy.
Therefore, the US has expanded the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) to allow admission for qualified nationals of a longer list of nations in order to address this problem.
Most citizens or nationals of participating countries are permitted to enter the United States for stays of 90 days or less for business or tourism without needing a visa thanks to the VWP. Before leaving, travellers need to obtain a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) permission and fulfil the requirements. You can still apply for a visiting (B) visa if you would rather have a visa in your passport.
To be eligible to travel under the VWP, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
Visitors from the following nations will now be able to enter the US for a 90-day period without a visa following the extended VWP:
Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
These countries will now be able to enter the US without a visa, along with 30 other nations. The objective of this effort is to increase the number of tourists from different countries and revers the declining trend in international arrivals.
The US intends to lower the percentage of total international arrivals classified as “Rest of the World” from 37% to 35% by granting entry privileges to citizens of a number of nations, including Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, and several others.
