SOMALIA, LIBYA AND YEMEN RESTRICTED FROM VISA WAIVER PROTECTION PROGRAM
April 15, 2016
Following changes mandated by the VWP Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (“the Act”), as of March 1, 2016, citizens from Somalia, Libya and Yemen, as well as anyone wishing to gain entry into the U.S. from such countries are no longer eligible for the U.S. Visa Waiver Protection Program. The list of restricted countries also includes Syria, Iran and Iraq. Citizens of all restricted countries are required to apply for a full visa before travelling to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has also begun implementation of mandated procedural changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ETSA), which includes a more extensive security check, and a new ETSA application form containing detailed questions to be completed by VWP applicants.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).