United States to announce plans for new visa rules for some Europeans

The restrictions have come under scrutiny by some USA politicians, including Sens. About 38 countries participate in the United States visa-waiver program, which allows their citizens to enter without a visa on trips of 90 days or less. Those who already have valid Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) will have them revoked. The State Department refused to comment on specific cases. Many Europeans enjoy visa-free travel to the US.

Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).

The changes follow an act passed by U.S Congress in December in light of the increasing threat of global terrorism and the rise of the Islamic State.

He warned that a “blanket restriction” on those who have visited Syria or Iraq would likely affect those legitimately engaged in business, journalism and humanitarian work “while doing little to detect those who travel by more clandestine means overland”.

They may also include people who travelled for legitimate business reasons to Iraq or to Iran following the July 14, 2015 nuclear agreement.

The US Department of Homeland Security said it will offer exemptions to the visa rule on a case-by-case basis.

Such individuals are still able to apply for a visa using the regular immigration process at US embassies or consulates, the AIT said.

The administration is not yet making changes to limits on visa-free travel for dual citizens.

Several of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria attackers who killed 130 people in France held European passports that would have allowed them to enter the USA under the former system.

The easy-entry visa waiver program was created to facilitate trade and travel.

Does this impact Americans heading to Europe? Dual citizens of the said Middle Eastern countries are also affected by the rule.

Homeland Security said dual nationals and travelers who had visited the four targeted countries would still be eligible for visas if they apply for them properly.

Is there any political fallout?

Republican lawmakers, who championed the new rule, complained that the president was watering down the law.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and the author of the legislation requiring such travelers to obtain visas, Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI), accused the Obama administration of “blatantly breaking the law” by incorporating such exemptions.