Visitors from visa waiver countries face another regulation beginning 12th January

It is not easy to visit the United States and if one wants to be updated with all the changes taking place in policies, then possibly a manual can only ensure this. If it was not tough enough, the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) will ensure that, as it adds another paragraph to the regulations for citizens of Visa Waiver countries. Effective from Monday, 12th of January, citizens and nationals from all the Visa Waiver eligible countries will need to get approval through the ESTA system before they can travel to the US on a Visa Waiver.

It is not easy to visit the United States and if one wants to be updated with all the changes taking place in policies, then possibly a manual can only ensure this. If it was not tough enough, the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) will ensure that, as it adds another paragraph to the regulations for citizens of Visa Waiver countries. Effective from Monday, 12th of January, citizens and nationals from all the Visa Waiver eligible countries will need to get approval through the ESTA system before they can travel to the US on a Visa Waiver.

The Visa Waiver program allows people from selected countries to travel to the US for business or tourism purposes, with their stay limited in the US to a maximum period of 90 days without a visa. Seven countries were added to the list last year: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta. Other countries which are eligible to avail its benefits are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, San Marino, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Under the program, people who have previous arrests may not be eligible for Visa Waiver travel, even if their arrests did not lead to conviction. If they are found to be in the US, then they can be arrested and detained there. So, if that is the case with anyone, it would be wise to speak to an immigration lawyer before one travels and wastes the cost of ticket, along with the extreme humiliation of an arrest coupled with other consequences as well. Eligible people can travel to the US under the Visa Waiver program provided they have an e-passport along with an approved authorization from ESTA.

However, the way is not completely blocked for people who have been arrested in the past. When a person has a criminal past then he or she will need a case which is known as ‘waiver’ case in order to forgive the carelessness. But only few crimes can be waived off and other just can’t be waived off. In addition to this, there are very few lawyers who deal with waivers as the case if extremely complex. Thus, it would be wise to carefully research the proper immigration lawyer as the outcome of a waiver might decide one’s future.