In a long anticipated move, the Department of State and the Immigration & Naturalization Service published interim rules in the Federal Register on January 31 proposing the elimination of a visa waiver which permanent residents ("landed immigrants") of Canada from citizens of British Commonwealth countries have enjoyed for many years.  The interim rule takes effect March 17, 2003, 45 days from the date of  publication in the Federal Register. 

In the past, citizens of 54 countries who were landed immigrants of Canada took advantage of this visa waiver. Under the waiver, an individual did not have to apply for a visa at an American Consulate.  The individual could simply enter the United States from Canada without a passport and could use the nonimmigrant visa approval notice and evidence of landed immigrant status.

Under the interim rule these individuals must now apply for visas at American Consulates/Embassies abroad unless they are entering the United States as Visitors pursuant to the Visa Waiver Program. This rule is being proposed due to "heightened border security concerns following the events of September 11, 2001."

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