New US visa restrictions go into effect

Citizens of 38 countries, including the United Kingdom and France, can visit the USA for up to 90 days without a visa – unless they are relevant dual nationals.

The change comes in response to concerns over terrorism and the rise of the Islamic State, and were included in a bill passed by the USA congress last month.

The United States on Thursday began implementing restrictions to its Visa Waiver Program under a law passed after last year’s Paris attacks that makes it harder for citizens of some countries to visit.

VWP Nationals submit an electronic form known as ESTA-with biographic, citizenship, travel and other information-to determine eligibility to travel to the US and whether such travel poses a law-enforcement or security risk.

Controversially, the changes also apply to dual-national individuals, who are citizens of both a VWP country and one of the four targeted countries.

NGO workers, government officials, journalists, and business professionals who have traveled to Iran following the July signing of an worldwide nuclear accord, and those who have traveled to Iraq for business, can receive a waiver on a “case-by-case” basis, the department said.

The US State Department also said it’s required by law to revoke travel authorizations held by citizens normally allowed without a visa if they are also dual Iranian, Iraqi, Sudanese or Syrian citizens.

“All waivers announced by the White House were explicitly rejected by Congress during our negotiations with the Administration”, they said in a statement.

– A law already in place is created to keep Europeans who have fought for the Islamic State group from entering the U.S.by putting stricter limits on who can travel to the US without a visa.

Whether you belong to a country that is enlisted in U.S. visa waiver program or not, you will have to apply for U.S. visa every time if you have travelled to Mideast. Toner said the State Department was ramping up its support at embassies and consulates throughout Europe to manage the increased workload. “This is not a difference of opinion over statutory interpretation, it is a clear contradiction of the law”.

Some congressional Republicans immediately decried the move, saying it circumvented the will of Congress.

Some GOP leaders said they opposed the administration’s plan to consider waiving the new requirements for those who had traveled for certain government, humanitarian or journalistic purposes, or to Iran or Iraq on business.