Immigration Lawyer Blog
Welcome back to the Immigration Lawyer Blog, where we discuss all things immigration. In this video, we bring Polish citizens an exciting new update regarding the Visa Waiver Program.
What’s happening?
The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the addition of Poland, as a country eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes without having to apply for a tourist visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. The period of time that a traveler may remain in the United States under the Visa Waiver Program is 90 days or less.
How does it work?
Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver program may travel to the United States without a visa by using their passports and an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) form that can be completed on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website in a matter of minutes.
Poland Joins Visa Waiver Program
Beginning November 11, 2019, Polish citizens may travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. This means that as a Polish citizen or national, you will not need to apply for a visa in order to enter the United States as a tourist or for select business purposes.
Polish citizens need only answer a series of “yes” or “no” questions on the ESTA application regarding their immigration history and general biographical information.
To be eligible to participate in the program, travelers must have a valid machine-readable passport issued by the participating country and be a citizen or national (not only a resident) of that country.
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from the United States.
Each person seeking entry to the United States must have their own machine-readable passport and an approved ESTA (including children and infants) to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
Guidelines
Traveling under the Visa Waiver Program is a privilege not a right. Visitors are only allowed to remain in the United States for a maximum period of 90 days for tourism or business purposes. This time period cannot be extended. Visitors may not change their status while in the United States. At the end of the 90 days, visitors must promptly depart the United States. Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program are not allowed to work or study in the United States. Doing so is a direct violation of the program and can result in serious consequences in the future.
Travelers who have been denied a U.S. visa in the past are not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver program, and must instead apply for a visa to enter the U.S.
Travelers who wish to work, study, or remain in the United States for a longer period than 90 days, must also apply for a visa at a U.S. Consulate.
To discuss what visa options are right for you, please contact our office for a consultation. We would be discuss your options.
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