DOS on Emergency VWPP Travelers
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS IMMEDIATE
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
Unclas State 182354
Visas, Inform Consuls also for Public Affairs Officers
E.O. 12958: N/A
Tags: CVIS, CMGT OPRC
Subject: Emergency Visa Waiver for VWPP Travelers
Ref: State 163900
1. It is still uncertain whether Congress will enact legislation to extend the Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) prior to the September 30 expiration of the program.
2. This may create an emergency situation for legitimate travelers who can neither seek admission without a visa because of the expiration of the VWPP nor obtain a visa in a timely manner because of the impossibility of staffing consular sections for that purpose on short notice. Therefore, the Department and the INS have agreed to an initial 30-day emergency visa waiver for affected travelers under the provisions of INA(d)(4)(A).
3. This waiver will be in force beginning October 1, 1997. It will apply to all travelers who were formerly eligible to travel on VWPP. Posts should advise all inquirers that those persons who would normally travel on VWPP may continue to travel without a visa through October 31. INS will not/not require the waiver fee nor the waiver application form that is normally required. Travelers will continue to complete the I-94W used for VWPP entry. INS will also notify participating carriers that they will not/not be fined for transporting persons who would otherwise be qualified as VWPP travelers. Applicants will be admitted to the U.S. for ninety days.
4. This action should ensure that qualified travelers from VWPP countries may continue with October travel plans and that posts’ visa operations will be only minimally affected by the delay in passage of VWPP legislation. We believe we will have an extension in place before the end of October, and will keep posts apprised of developments.
5. Posts should disseminate this information as widely as possible through usual public outreach channels.
6. Minimize considered.
Eizenstat