The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that starting Oct. 19, 2023, Israeli passport holders are eligible to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which
Continue Reading DHS Moves Up Israel’s Eligibility for Visa Waiver Program to Oct. 19, 2023
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department announced that Israel has been admitted to the Visa Waiver Program. Starting Nov. 30, 2023, Israeli passport holders are eligible to
Continue Reading Israel Joins Visa Waiver Program
A gathering opportunity for immigration legal professionals from both the United States and around the globe, the annual American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Conference (AC23) was held in Orlando in
Continue Reading AILA Conference 2023: Insights from Greenberg Traurig Participants
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently launched a new mobile application that allows travelers from 40 countries to submit applications for U.S. travel through their smartphones and tablets. The Electronic
Continue Reading CBP Launches ESTA Mobile ApplicationOn April 25, 2018, European Union ambassadors reached an agreement between the European Council and representatives of the European Union Parliament for a European version of the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Continue Reading EU Reaches Agreement For European Version of ESTA
On May 9, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a statement clarifying that as part of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist
Continue Reading e-Passport Mandatory for the Visa Waiver Program
This post updates our post from Jan. 22, 2016, concerning guidance released by the U.S. Department of State about implementation of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. We have updated the post to provide a summary and link to additional information published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) concerning the implementation and operation of the new VWP law. The CBP document can be accessed here.
In its FAQs, CBP reiterates the two new barriers to VWP participation based on travel and dual nationality. CBP reports that ESTA travelers who are “known” to be included in the dual national category will be notified in late January that their ESTA is no longer valid. CBP also reports that it is working on notification to ESTA travelers who have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan.Continue Reading U.S. Customs and Border Protection Provides Additional Guidance on Implementation of New Visa Waiver Program Law
The recent tragic events in Paris, France have moved Congress and the Administration to seriously consider changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP permits citizens of 38 countries
Continue Reading Congress Weighing Changes to the Visa Waiver Program
When traveling to the United States, foreign nationals submit biographic information to determine if they are eligible to travel to the United States. The biographic information along with other information is submitted through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. As individuals answers questions online, they will need to respond to the following question: “Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa or entry into the U.S. or had a U.S. visa canceled?”
Continue Reading The Hidden Meaning Behind the Words: ‘Have You Ever Been Denied a U.S. Visa or Entry into the U.S., or Had a U.S. Visa Canceled?’