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How does a country eligible for the VWP status?

There are certain countries that you think are very qualified for the Visa Waiver Program status and that they have what it takes to be in that group. However, there are certain factors that need further evaluation and analysis right before they even become nominated. The following requirements should be provided by a country for VWP eligibility:

• Refusal Rate: For a country to qualify for VWP status, the nonimmigrant visitor (under the B-1/B-2 visa category) refusal rate for citizens of that country who have applied at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country should have an average of less than 3# for the previous fiscal year.

Once a country meets the criteria of refusal rate, there are still factors to be considered and evaluated right before a decision on VWP nomination can be approved:

• Reciprocity: A country that is nominated to become part of the VWP must provide a reciprocal visa-free travel for the U.S. citizens.

• Passport security: A country must have a machine readable passport, or MRP, program in place in order to stabilize itself for the VWP status. In addition, those VWP candidate countries must provide adequacy in safeguarding the program from any fraudulent use. A proper storage of blank passports, sufficient screening for applicants who have passport and other factors should be maintained. Consideration will also be provided to a country where citizenship can be obtained.

• Political and economic constancy: A country that is in close consideration for the VWP status must be sufficiently stable in terms of their political and economy status. This is to ensure that certain conditions that apply for VWP qualifying criteria, like the overstay rates in the U.S., are not likely to alter dramatically in the future.

• Border controls: A country candidate for VWP must provide the solidity in maintaining its border control to a territory under their control. Other factors that can be taken into consideration include the stability and thoroughness of entry checks and also to the extent to which an area of the certain country is used as a transit point for alien smugglers.

• Law-enforcement cooperation: A degree to which the law enforcement of the host country that is able to cooperate well with the U.S. counterparts as well as the international bodies like Interpol is as good to being considered. The Attorney General, with the consultation with the Secretary of State, must provide the evaluation of the nominated country’s interest in the enforcement of certain U.S. immigration laws, as well as the existence and effectiveness of the extradition agreements with the United States. And that’s including the deportation of its nationals who violate the U.S. laws. The Attorney General must present a report to the Congress on the country’s ineligibility for designation that includes a detailed explanation of a favorable determination.

• Security concerns: And lastly, any security concerns that could be raised by a country’s eligibility to the VWP program will also be considered. The country should be able to provide the necessary status of the security matters that will be subjected for further evaluation and recommendation for added reference to become a part of Visa Waiver Program status.  more ..

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