Brussels, 07/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is currently reviewing the content of the provisions recently adopted by the American Senate on the visa exemption programme, currently known as the “Visa Waiver Programme” (VWP).
At the end of February, the Senate made the conditions for VWP eligibility for the Member States of the EU more flexible, which could eventually allow most of the citizens of the Union to enter the United States and remain there for a maximum of 90 days, without first of all having to obtain a visa from the American Consulate (EUROPE 9380). 12 Member States are currently excluded from the system, which has caused a certain amount of ill feeling in Europe, given the fact that American nationals can go practically anywhere in Europe without a visa. What are the Senate's conditions, which each Member State hoping to be part of the VWP will have to fulfil? A range of cumulative criteria have been called for. First of all, countries hoping to participate in the programme must not compromise respect of the law, security interests, or the application of the laws on immigration to the United States. Then, the rate of visa refusals applied to this State by the United States must be below 10%, as opposed to 3% previously. “This flexible rate might be able to qualify more States for the VWP”, a European source told EUROPE. The figures put forward by the American Department of State give some of the figures for visa refusal rates in 2006: Cyprus- 2.2%; Greece- 2.2%; Malta- 2.8%; Estonia- 7.1%; the Czech Republic- 9.4%; Hungary- 12.7%; Slovakia- 16%; Latvia- 21.6%; Poland- 26.2% and Lithuania- 27.7%. If this last condition is not fulfilled, the rates of people from a given country who have remained in the United States after their visa expired must not exceed a certain percentage, which will be set by the Secretary of State in charge of Homeland Security. When the so-called “Air Exit System” has been set in place, there must be no less than 97% of non-nationals leaving the territory by aeroplane. It is, moreover, this system which will make it possible to count the rate of persons remaining on the territory after their visa had expired. “There should be some clarifications” on the use of this kind of system, a European source went on to acknowledge. The American authorities may also take into account any other factor affecting security in the United States, such as the security standards of the airports in the country, the effective presence of police officers on board aircraft, the security of documents such as passports and other travel documents and other factors related to security, such as the repatriation of illegal immigrants. The setting in place of the ETA- “Electronic Travel Authority” system- is also required. This automatic system makes it possible to collect biographical information about travellers. The in-depth examination of all of these criteria by the Commission will not allow the Commission to present its report on visa reciprocity in time, as this had initially been scheduled for the end of March. (bc)