On March 18, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff signed a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania. The agreements put all three countries on track for visa-free travel to the U.S., and potential designation as VWP members later this year.

The U.S. Congress authorized DHS in August 2007 to reform the VWP and strengthen the security arrangements required of existing participant countries, as well as to expand the conditions for countries to join the program. Among the security enhancements required, DHS will establish an electronic system of travel authorization for air passengers. VWP travelers will be asked to provide some basic information online, which will generate an authorization number for travel. DHS will announce complete details on how the authorization systems will work, and when they will begin, later this year. VWP partners also must ensure reporting of lost and stolen passports to avoid fraudulent use and enhance security measures for airports that originate flights to the U.S., to include permitting air marshals on certain flights.

The VWP has been authorized by U.S. law for over 20 years, with 27 current members from Asia and Europe. Citizens from those countries generally may travel to the US as visitors for business or pleasure without obtaining a visa, greatly facilitating business travel, and encouraging tourism and travel between the Visa Waiver countries and the U.S.

In addition to the agreements with Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania, DHS recently has signed enhanced VWP agreements with the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia.

It is important to note that signing the MOU does not immediately authorize Visa Waiver travel from these countries - until DHS and the State Department announce that citizens of these countries may travel to the US visa-free, citizens of those countries are still required to obtain a visa stamp prior to entry to the U.S.

Jackson & Hertogs will provide updates as additional countries sign VWP memoranda, and when their citizens become eligible for visa-free travel to the U.S.

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