News U.S. visitors can use.Britian, France, Japan, and other Visa Waiver Program The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program of the United States of America which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. countries have received some welcomed news: The deadline for biometric, or machine-readable, passports for travelers entering the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. has been extended. The Senate and House passed and the president signed legislation that extends the deadline by one year. The extension--supported by the Travel Business Round-table, Secretary of State Colin Powell Noun 1. Colin Powell - United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937)Colin luther Powell, Powell , and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge--was deemed necessary after reports from most of the 27 Visa Waiver Program countries that the technological challenges of producing the computer-chip-embedded passports were too great to be met by the original October 26, 2004, deadline. In related news, the Department of Homeland Security Noun 1. Department of Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States announced upcoming expansions to its US-VISIT US-VISIT United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology departure program. The program, which currently serves 115 airports and 14 seaports, requires foreign visitors to the United States to be finger-scanned before leaving the country. This month the program will be extended to 11 additional air and seaports. All foreign visitors traveling on a visa are required to comply. And after September 30, travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries will be included as well. |
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