State Dept. Advises Posts of Elimination of Visa Waiver for Canadian Landed Immigrants

R 010248Z FEB 03
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
AMEMBASSY KABUL
AMEMBASSY CARACAS
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
UNCLAS STATE 029504

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS
SUBJECT: CANADIAN LANDED IMMIGRANTS

1. SUMMARY: The Department (in conjunction with the BCIS) will be publishing a Federal Register rule on January 31,2003. The rule amends the Department of State's regulation that currently allows certain permanent residents of Canada and Bermuda who share a common nationality with nationals of Canada or with British subjects in Bermuda to enter the United States without a passport or visa.

2. As posts are probably aware, under current regulations Canadian permanent residents who have a common nationality with Canadians, British subjects in Bermuda, and aliens who have a common nationality with such subjects do not require passports and visas when entering the United States. This waiver also includes citizens of Commonwealth countries, as well as citizens of Ireland. The new regulation will remove this benefit and will require these aliens to present a valid passport and a visa when seeking to enter the United States. An exception to the rule, are aliens entering under the Visa Waiver Program who will require a valid passport but not a visa.

3. A list of the Commonwealth countries can be found at 9 FAM 41.2. Exhibit I.

POWELL