DOS on Expiration of VWPP
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
UNCLAS STATE 163900
Visas, Inform Consuls also for Public Affairs Officers
E.O. 12935: N/A
TAGS: CVIS, OPRC
Subject: Expiration/Re-Authorization of VWPP
1. The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) will expire at midnight on September 30, 1997, unless Congress passes legislation before that date to extend it.
2. While it appears that Congress will pass legislation re-authorizing the program before the expiration date, it has not yet done so. Although unlikely, it is possible that the bill could be delayed, causing the VWPP to lapse without replacement. The Department is keenly aware of the crisis posts would face if VWPP authorization were to lapse, even for a short period of time.
3. We faced a similar situation in 1994, when Congress did not pass re- authorization legislation until early October and again in 1996 when legislation was passed on the last day of September. To avert a crisis for posts and VWPP travelers, CA obtained INS concurrence for an emergency blanket visa waiver which applied to all travelers formerly eligible for entry under VWPP. INS also advised the airlines that they would not be fined for carrying passengers from VWPP countries who were not in possession of valid visas. This solution worked well, and enabled international travel to continue uninterrupted during the VWPP hiatus.
4. We are hopeful Congress will pass legislation re-authorizing the VWPP before September 30. However, in order to be prepared for the possibility of a lapse in the program, we have been in contact with INS regarding the waiver used in the past, we expect that INS will concur in our request, and that VWPP travelers will be able to enter the U.S. as usual during any brief interruption in the program.
5. Posts should assure VWPP travelers, representatives of the travel industry, government officials of participating VWPP countries and any other person expressing concerns over the status of VWPP legislation that emergency steps will be taken to ensure that citizens of VWPP countries may continue to travel as usual, despite any lapse in the legislation. VWPP- eligible travelers should be urged not/not to apply for visas and reassured that they may continue to make travel plans as usual.
6. Should posts receive press inquiries on this subject, the following guidance should be used: Begin text: The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) is scheduled to expire at midnight on September 30. We are working to ensure that Congress will pass legislation extending the program before that date. However, if there is a brief lapse in the VWPP legislation, the Department of State will coordinate with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service on temporary measures to avoid problems for VWPP- eligible travelers seeking to enter the U.S. VWPP-eligible travelers are urged not to apply for visas in anticipation of the possible expiration of the VWPP. The U.S. continues to welcome business and holiday travelers from VWPP countries and the Department of State will take all possible steps to ensure that such travel continues uninterrupted. End text.
7. The Visa Office will continue to monitor this situation closely and will update posts as the situation evolves.
Talbott