ID :
26359
Fri, 10/24/2008 - 18:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/26359
The shortlink copeid
U.S. to allow S. Koreans visa-free 90-day U.S. trip from Nov.: official
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. visa waiver program for South Korea and six other countries will take effect by the end of November, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday.
"It's not going to be before Nov. 15 and it will be in month of November,"
Chertoff said in a news briefing. "I am going to announce the exact date soon."
U.S. President George W. Bush last week announced he had notified Congress of his
intention to include the seven countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) so
their citizens could visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa for
sightseeing or business.
The other six are the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and
Estonia.
Bush said at that time that his administration will be able to "extend to
citizens of these seven countries the privilege of visa-free travel in about a
month."
The Bush administration is empowered to implement the VWP one month after the
notification.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Bush agreed in April to implement the
VWP by the end of the year.
South Korean officials have said the program will likely take effect for South
Korea in mid-November, when Seoul and Washington are scheduled to sign an
agreement on crime and terrorism prevention.
Chertoff said that the U.S. will ask for information "directly aimed at making
sure criminals and terrorists do not come into the U.S." before implementing the
program for the new members.
He said the security measure is important in this program, adding his
administration could persuade "members of Congress who are skeptical to go along
with this extension."
South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Chertoff last month agreed on
providing the criminal records of a limited number of suspects so immigration
authorities in each country can access such information automatically at
airports.
The automatic inquiry system is reciprocal and involves provision of information
on certain types of crimes involving only a small number of people.
South Korea in August began issuing electronic passports as a precondition for
entry into the much-awaited program, which is expected to reduce long lines in
front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
Other required systems, including establishment of an electronic immigration
control system at airports, are already in place.
The visa waiver program, which already has 27 member states, does not include
those who plan to study, cover news stories, seek employment or stay permanently.
More than 360,000 South Koreans apply for U.S. visas every year for tourism and
business. Each applicant is required to pay a non-refundable processing fee of
US$110.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. visa waiver program for South Korea and six other countries will take effect by the end of November, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday.
"It's not going to be before Nov. 15 and it will be in month of November,"
Chertoff said in a news briefing. "I am going to announce the exact date soon."
U.S. President George W. Bush last week announced he had notified Congress of his
intention to include the seven countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) so
their citizens could visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa for
sightseeing or business.
The other six are the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and
Estonia.
Bush said at that time that his administration will be able to "extend to
citizens of these seven countries the privilege of visa-free travel in about a
month."
The Bush administration is empowered to implement the VWP one month after the
notification.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Bush agreed in April to implement the
VWP by the end of the year.
South Korean officials have said the program will likely take effect for South
Korea in mid-November, when Seoul and Washington are scheduled to sign an
agreement on crime and terrorism prevention.
Chertoff said that the U.S. will ask for information "directly aimed at making
sure criminals and terrorists do not come into the U.S." before implementing the
program for the new members.
He said the security measure is important in this program, adding his
administration could persuade "members of Congress who are skeptical to go along
with this extension."
South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Chertoff last month agreed on
providing the criminal records of a limited number of suspects so immigration
authorities in each country can access such information automatically at
airports.
The automatic inquiry system is reciprocal and involves provision of information
on certain types of crimes involving only a small number of people.
South Korea in August began issuing electronic passports as a precondition for
entry into the much-awaited program, which is expected to reduce long lines in
front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
Other required systems, including establishment of an electronic immigration
control system at airports, are already in place.
The visa waiver program, which already has 27 member states, does not include
those who plan to study, cover news stories, seek employment or stay permanently.
More than 360,000 South Koreans apply for U.S. visas every year for tourism and
business. Each applicant is required to pay a non-refundable processing fee of
US$110.
