Us Visa Waiver Program

[ChrisP]

Does anyone have any thoughts/insight as to why Thailand isn't one of the 20+ countries signing to the USA Visa Waiver program..?

It would make getting a Tourist Visa for a Thai SOOO much easier...

And, is it ever likely to happen..?

ChrisP

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Does anyone have any thoughts/insight as to why Thailand isn't one of the 20+ countries signing to the USA Visa Waiver program..?

It would make getting a Tourist Visa for a Thai SOOO much easier...

And, is it ever likely to happen..?

ChrisP

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the US was willing it might be too. Thailand is considered an overstay risk

[penelope]

It would make getting a Tourist Visa for a Thai SOOO much easier...

ChrisP

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Under the tourist visa waiver program, you dont need to apply for a visa, hence the word "waiver".

A visa is the right to travel to the country. You may then, at the discretion of the border immigration officer get a permit stamp on arrival.A permit is the right to stay, subject to conditions.

I can't see Thailand being accepted into the scheme any time soon.

[samran]

As you can see below, Thailand has a long way to go. And before you guys go off in a huff about unfair it is for Thai's, Australians, up until later 1999/early 2000 were exluded from the Visa Waver Programme due to the fact that Australia made US citizens get visas to enter Australia..... Below is what got off the State Departments web site....Read on;

Visa Waiver Program - How a Country Qualifies

How does a country qualify for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) participation?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Not all countries participate in the VWP. There are a number of requirements which must be met, as explained below, for a country to be considered for the Visa Waiver Program.

Refusal rate

In order to qualify for VWP participation, the nonimmigrant visitor ("B-1/B-2" visa category) refusal rate for nationals of a country who have applied at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country must average less than 3% for the previous fiscal year.

Once a country meets the refusal rate criteria, a number of other factors must be evaluated before a decision on VWP nomination can be made:

Reciprocity

VWP candidate countries must provide reciprocal visa-free travel for U.S. citizens.

Passport security

A country must have a machine readable passport (MRP) program in place in order to qualify for VWP participation.

In addition, VWP candidate countries must demonstrate that adequate safeguards against fraudulent use of their passports are in place, including proper storage of blank passports and sufficient screening of passport applicants.

Consideration will also be given to the ease with which host country citizenship can be obtained.

Political and economic stability

Countries under consideration for VWP participation must be sufficiently stable to ensure that conditions which could affect VWP qualifying criteria (such as overstay rates in the U.S.) are not likely to change dramatically in the future.

Border controls

VWP candidate countries must demonstrate that effective border controls are in place for all territory under their control.

Factors taken into consideration include the thoroughness and consistency of entry checks as well as the extent to which the country's territory is used as a transit point for alien smugglers.

Law-enforcement cooperation

The degree to which host country law enforcement agencies cooperate with U.S. counterparts as well as international entities such as Interpol will be considered.

The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of State, must evaluate the nominee country's interest in enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, and the existence and effectiveness of extradition agreements with the U.S., including extradition of its own nationals who violate US laws.

The Attorney General must submit a report to Congress on the country's qualification for designation that includes an explanation of a favorable determination.

Security concerns

Any security concerns that could be raised by a country's admission into the VWP program will be considered.

Is there a probationary program for VWP entry?

No. The probationary status entry program, designed for countries with a refusal rate of less than 3.5 percent but more than 2 percent, was eliminated by the new immigration legislation signed into law in September 1996. Therefore, no more countries may be admitted in probationary status.

How does the nomination process work?

The nomination process is based on a 1997 protocol established between the Departments of State and Justice. Under this protocol, the State Department initiates the process by advising the Department of Justice of its intent to nominate a country for consideration for inclusion in the VWP.

The Department of State may only nominate a country once it determines that each the first three qualifications listed above (including refusal rate below 3%, reciprocal treatment for American citizens, and machine readable passport program in place) have been met. If all three of these criteria have not been met, or if the Department of State believes that deficiencies in the other qualification areas are significant, the Department will not nominate a country.

Once the Department of State has advised the Department of Justice of its intent to nominate a country, an interagency team reviews the nomination, focusing on the impact inclusion of the country in VWP would have on law enforcement, national security, and immigration control. If no clearly disqualifying objections are raised during this prenomination review, the Secretary of State submits a formal written nomination to the Attorney General.

After a country is formally nominated, BCIS leads a site team of representatives from interested agencies to visit the nominated country. The team reviews the nominee country’s political, social, and economic condition; the security of its passport and national identity documents; its border controls, immigration and nationality laws, and law enforcement policies and practices; and other matters that nay be of law enforcement, immigration, or national security concern. Based on the prenomination review and site visit, the interagency working group submits a recommendation to the Attorney General, who then makes the ultimate decision on VWP participation.

(April 2003)

Edited January 23, 2005 by samran

[ChrisP]

^^

Many thanks SamRan...! I've never read this before..

I don't think Thailand has THAT far to go.. Thailand allows US Citizens to enter the country for 30-days on the approval of an immediate Stamp-In... Pretty much identical to a Visa-Waiver.

In order to qualify for VWP participation, the nonimmigrant visitor ("B-1/B-2" visa category) refusal rate for nationals of a country who have applied at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country must average less than 3% for the previous fiscal year.

My own opinion is that the US State Dept/Consulate takes a far too critical view.. the Immigration Law is written in terms of "you are assumed to be guilty (of planning to overstay) UNLESS you can prove your innocence."

I have no idea what the "Non-Immigrant Visa Refusal Rate" for Thailand nationals is.. Is it published somewhere...? I contend that you can ALWAYS make a case that "insufficient proof" of intention to return is there.. especially if the criteria is not fixed, and is under the sole consideration and opinion of one person at the Consulate.

ChrisP

[dr_Pat_Pong]

^^

Many thanks SamRan...!  I've never read this before..

I don't think Thailand has THAT far to go..  Thailand allows US Citizens to enter the country for 30-days on the approval of an immediate Stamp-In... Pretty much identical to a Visa-Waiver.

In order to qualify for VWP participation, the nonimmigrant visitor ("B-1/B-2" visa category) refusal rate for nationals of a country who have applied at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country must average less than 3% for the previous fiscal year.

My own opinion is that the US State Dept/Consulate takes a far too critical view.. the Immigration Law is written in terms of "you are assumed to be guilty (of planning to overstay) UNLESS you can prove your innocence."

I have no idea what the "Non-Immigrant Visa Refusal Rate" for Thailand nationals is.. Is it published somewhere...? I contend that you can ALWAYS make a case that "insufficient proof" of intention to return is there.. especially if the criteria is not fixed, and is under the sole consideration and opinion of one person at the Consulate.

ChrisP

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can't beat 'em samran

[Rinrada]

When the average salary in Thailand hits about $25,000 a year then the visa waiver prog.could kick in.

Until then forget it

[penelope]

When the average salary in Thailand hits about $25,000 a year then the visa waiver prog.could kick in.

Until then forget it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...about the same time that Thailand has it's first Farang member of parliament

[Axel]

Reciprocity should be the key-word. If Thais need a visa to visit the USA so US-citizens should get one to come to Thailand.

India did it in the past with some countries, why not Thailand? Just afraid of losing tourist income?

[penelope]

Reciprocity should be the key-word. If Thais need a visa to visit the USA so US-citizens should get one to come to Thailand.

India did it in the past with some countries, why not Thailand? Just afraid of losing tourist income?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thailand needs the US tourism dollar, US doesn't need the Thai tourism dollar, hence there is no benefit really in the US shouldering the risk.

Yes, in an ideal/balanced world it should be truly reciprocal.

[bkk_mike]

Reciprocity should be the key-word. If Thais need a visa to visit the USA so US-citizens should get one to come to Thailand.

India did it in the past with some countries, why not Thailand? Just afraid of losing tourist income?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thailand needs the US tourism dollar, US doesn't need the Thai tourism dollar, hence there is no benefit really in the US shouldering the risk.

Yes, in an ideal/balanced world it should be truly reciprocal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If Thailand was to start with the reciprocal visa requirement, maybe the US would retaliate with a reciprocal 65% blanket import duty on Thai goods. (same rate as the import duty on cars into Thailand).

[samran]

When the average salary in Thailand hits about $25,000 a year then the visa waiver prog.could kick in.

Until then forget it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...about the same time that Thailand has it's first Farang member of parliament

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, (using a very loose definition) there is already a Farang who sits in Parliament, Sen. Meechai's mother was Scottish and he was educated in Australia, played cricket and Aussie rules. Speaks Thai and English better than most of us mere mortals too.

[Rinrada]

Her name is Isabel and from memory they met up while studying at either Edinburgh or St Andrews University

[penelope]

When the average salary in Thailand hits about $25,000 a year then the visa waiver prog.could kick in.

Until then forget it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...about the same time that Thailand has it's first Farang member of parliament

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, (using a very loose definition) there is already a Farang who sits in Parliament, Sen. Meechai's mother was Scottish and he was educated in Australia, played cricket and Aussie rules. Speaks Thai and English better than most of us mere mortals too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking someone more in the demographic of Bill Henieke , white, fluent, naturalized

[samran]

When the average salary in Thailand hits about $25,000 a year then the visa waiver prog.could kick in.

Until then forget it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...about the same time that Thailand has it's first Farang member of parliament

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, (using a very loose definition) there is already a Farang who sits in Parliament, Sen. Meechai's mother was Scottish and he was educated in Australia, played cricket and Aussie rules. Speaks Thai and English better than most of us mere mortals too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking someone more in the demographic of Bill Henieke , white, fluent, naturalized

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ain't gonna happen for a long time then Lady Penelope.....from memory Thai law stipulates that to become an MP the father of the MP must be a Thai born citizen, which rules out the likes me. So maybe my kids could have the chance, or maybe Bill Henieke's grandkiddies.

[jdinasia]

Regarding the VWP ... I heard (yes second hand info) that the US Embassy here processes 64,000 requests a year for a visa and denies 20%