FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         DAG
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1995                             (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                       
             
             VISA WAIVER PROGRAM EXTENDED TO IRELAND

    
      WASHINGTON, D.C. --  Beginning April 1, most visitors from
Ireland will be able to visit the United States without a visa,
the Department of Justice's Immigration and Naturalization
Service announced today.  

      The Administration designated Ireland for inclusion in the
nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) for an initial
period of up to three years.  At the end of the three years, the
arrangement can be made permanent, although the legislation which
authorized the waiver program must be renewed next year. 

      The program permits nationals of the designated countries
to apply for admission to the United States as visitors for
business or pleasure for up to 90 days without having to obtain
nonimmigrant visitor visas from U.S. embassies and consulates. 
Since its inception in 1988, permanent waivers have been granted
for 22 nations:  all of the countries of Western Europe except
Portugal, plus Japan, New Zealand and Brunei.  

       Applicants must not be persons who are prohibited by U.S.
law from entering the United States.  

       The programs are reciprocal, meaning most U.S. citizens
will not need visas now to visit Ireland.  Nations are chosen to
participate in the program on the basis of a low visa refusal
rate and a determination that nationals of those countries
generally pose no threat to the health, safety, welfare, or
security of the United States.    

                               #####

95-147