Is the "Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act" already valid?
I'd like to visit the USA in four weeks and recently read about the "Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act" which disallows people who visited Iran since 2011 to travel to the USA without a visa.
Does this already apply? If not, when will it apply?
Best Answer
Not yet, and it might never apply - but to keep tabs on it:
H.R.158 - Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015 - the bill's current state.
It's passed the house, and has been received by the Senate, but hasn't been voted on there yet.
As many have observed, let alone tourists to the US, it may create two classes of US citizens, for those who have visited Iran.
As a result, it might be ruled unconstitutional, but we'll see. Stranger things have happened.
As a NZ citizen who visited Iran last year, I'm also watching it with interest and alarm.
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How long is VWP valid for?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor visa purposes) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.How long is ESTA valid?
Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. As long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period.How many times can I use the Visa Waiver Program?
There is no limit on the number of times you may enter the U.S. under either ESTA of a visa.How many countries currently participate in the VWP?
There are currently 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra (1991)Mac's Legislative Update - Visa Waiver Program
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Answer 2
These changes are not yet in effect. They will not take effect without an announcement. See, for example, http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/12/30/changes-to-visa-waiver-program-could-impact-ngos1.html:
The changes have yet to be put into practice, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for implementing the VWP provisions.
“At this time, no determination has been made as to how the waiver provision would be implemented,” DHS representative S.Y. Lee said in a statement. “We will announce any changes affecting travelers to the United States from visa waiver program countries as soon as that information is available.”
The DHS has not provided details on when that information will be available or indicated if exceptions will be made for aid workers.
UPDATE, 22 January 2016:
Unfortunately, it appears that the announcement was made yesterday, with immediate effect. Earlier assurances that "an announcement would be made," implying that people would have adequate notice to adjust their travel plans, appear to have been disingenuous or incompetent.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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