From the October 20, 2008 Edition of ISSS-BU News
Seven Countries Added to the United States Visa Waiver Program
On Friday, October 17, President Bush announced that sometime in mid November, seven countries will be added to the United State’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) that allow citizens of those countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for up to ninety days without a visa.
These seven countries are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lativa, Lithuania, Slovakia and South Korea. They will join the list of twenty-seven countries already approved under this program. Nationals participating in the VWP must travel only for business, pleasure or transit, stay in the United States for ninety days or less, and if arriving by sea or by air, hold a valid ticket for return or onward travel.
This information is especially important for international students because once implemented, it will allow their family members from these countries to come to visit them in the United States for up to a ninety day period, without having to apply for a visitor visa.
To view the Fact Sheet prepared by the White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081017-15.html
To view President Bush’s remarks
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081017-5.html
For more information on the Visa Waiver Program
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html