US visa waiver rules tighten for EU travellers
September 07 2009 by Rebekah Nahai
US visa waiver changes for EU
The US government is proposing to change US visa waiver requirements for some countries, including visitors from the European Union.
The move would be intended to generate funds for a program that promotes travel to the US. Program sponsors have been emphasising that it will not burden the US taxpayer, but EU members think Americans should shoulder the cost.
John Bruton, the European Commission's Ambassador to Washington, has reacted by saying: "Only in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ could a penalty be seen as promoting the activity on which it is imposed."
EU travellers have long been able to visit the country without a US visa. But a pre-departure registration process was recently implemented for EU travellers which requires them to confirm their visa-waiver status online.
The US is considering charging $10 for the registration, which must be done 72 hours before departure and renewed every two years. Democratic Rep. William Delahunt, one of the bill’s sponsors, called it a “nominal fee”.
EU officials say it seems like the first step in implementing a US visa requirement for European travellers. If the bill is approved, Americans may experience retaliation in the form of visa requirements for US travellers to Europe.
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