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Akaka Applauds South Korea's Inclusion in Visa Waiver Program
Senator cosponsored bill that led to today's action
October 17, 2008
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) praised the addition of South Korea to the United States' Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Akaka was an original cosponsor of the Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Act (S. 653), introduced by Senator George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio), to expand the VWP while strengthening security requirements for entry into the U.S. The bill called for extending visa-free travel privileges to nationals of foreign countries that are allies in the war on terrorism; and noted that such expansion will have positive security, economic, and bilateral effects. Provisions of the Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act were incorporated into the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (H.R. 1), which was signed into law (P.L. 110-53) by President George W. Bush, on August 3, 2007, leading to today's action.
Senator Akaka said: "Our neighbor South Korea is an important ally. Making it easier for South Koreans to visit our country will boost our tourism industry during these difficult times, and sparing these visitors the hassle of lines, fees and paperwork will strengthen ties between our countries. South Korea worked hard to fulfill the security requirements to join the Visa Waiver Program and I am pleased their efforts have been recognized. I will continue to support efforts to open our doors to new visitors from Asia."
Akaka is a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
For more information on the Visa Waiver Program, please refer to the FAQ distributed by the Department of Homeland Security below:
October 17, 2008EXPANSION OF THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM What is the Visa Waiver Program? The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and enables eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Additional information regarding the VWP is available at http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/business_pleasure/vwp/vwp.xml. What changes are being made to the program? A modernized VWP that strengthens our country's national security, law enforcement and immigration interests is a clear top priority for the Administration.The Department is well on its way to achieving the twin goals of a security-enhanced and expanded VWP, pursuant to the requirements of the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007" (9/11 Act). Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program? Citizens or nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.DHS is committed to bringing new members into the program. We are close to finalizing decisions to admit the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and South Korea to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Why add additional countries to the program? Expanding the circle of countries admitted to the Program creates tremendous incentives for VWP aspirants to enhance their security standards and deepen their cooperation with the United States on security-related issues. When may nationals or citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia travel to the United States under the VWP? We expect to complete the necessary legal requirements so that nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia may travel to the United States under the VWP beginning November 17, 2008, only if they have obtained an approved travel authorization via ESTA, and if they are in possession of an e-Passport. What requirements will be placed on VWP countries? Why? VWP countries will be required to provide certain information on air passengers, serious crimes, known or suspected terrorists, asylum and migration matters, and timely reporting of lost and stolen passport data, as well as cooperation on airport and aviation security. This will provide our operators and analysts with new tools to secure our nation as well as help prevent terrorist and criminal activities in our VWP partner nations. As such, they will in many ways substantially enhance travel security with our Visa Waiver partners. When will new and existing VWP countries be required to comply with the new security measures? Those countries seeking to join the VWP will have to comply with all of the new security measures upon admission; current participants will have to meet those new requirements no later than October 2009. Staggering the times for compliance in this way best enables us to ensure a smooth and efficient path to uniform security standards for all VWP members. Will the requirements be the same for all VWP countries? Yes, uniform security standards are essential because the terrorist threat is not confined to particular corners of the globe. Aside from strengthening security, what other benefits will the VWP offer? In addition to the very real security benefits, the VWP produces significant economic benefits for this country. In 2006, for example, VWP travelers accounted for 60 percent of travel-related business transactions. That year, Florida welcomed nearly 2.5 million VWP travelers from overseas. These international visitors to Florida typically stayed an average of 11 days, twice as long as domestic tourists. These economic benefits apply toall 50 states and can be expected to increase as more countries are eligible to use the program. How will ESTA strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program? ESTA will substantially strengthen the security of the VWP by providing DHS with the capability to conduct enhanced advance vetting of VWP travelers. It is essential to transforming the VWP from a program that evaluates security threats on a country-by-country basis to one that is capable of making traveler-by-traveler judgments. In addition to enhancing security, ESTA will provide for greater efficiencies in the screening of international travelers by reducing traveler delays at the ports of entry.
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Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
October 2008
- Akaka and Rockefeller ask for Answers on Plan to Change Veterans' Health Care [October 29, 2008]
- VA Can Improve Nurse Recruitment and Retention, says GAO Report Requested by Akaka and Salazar [October 24, 2008]
- Akaka Pleased with the Replacement of Special Counsel Scott Bloch [October 23, 2008]
- U.S. Army Awards $450,000 to Go for Broke National Education Center Funds support oral histories of Nisei linguists in Occupied Japan [October 22, 2008]
- Akaka Responds to Burr Statement on Filipino Veterans [October 20, 2008]
- Akaka Applauds South Korea's Inclusion in Visa Waiver Program [October 17, 2008]
- Non-Partisan Environmental Group Awards Perfect Rating to Senator Akaka [October 17, 2008]
- Akaka Responds to VA Freeze on Document Shredding [October 16, 2008]
- Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Increase Announced [October 16, 2008]
- Sweeping Veterans' Mental Health Bill Now Law [October 10, 2008]
- Omnibus Veterans' Benefits Bill Now Law [October 10, 2008]
- One Week Left to File for Your Stimulus Check [October 8, 2008]
- "A+ for Akaka on Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans' Issues [October 7, 2008]
- Senate Majority Leader: Congress Sending President Bill To Stabilize Economy, Cut Taxes for Middle Class and Create Jobs [October 3, 2008]
- Senator Akaka Speaks About His Support of Financial Rescue Bill [October 1, 2008]
- Senate Passes Legislation Ensuring Federal Retirement Equity in Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. Territories [October 1, 2008]
- Akaka Supports Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 [October 1, 2008]
- Bill to Provide Leave Equity for Administrative Law Judges [October 1, 2008]
- Akaka Opposes US-India Deal [October 1, 2008]
- Senate Majority Leader: We Will Work Together to Solve This Crisis [October 1, 2008]
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