On Tuesday, Taiwan was admitted into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing for easier and more secure travel between the U.S. and Taiwan. 

The VWP allows foreign nationals from participating countries to enter the U.S. without first obtaining a visa, for the purpose of tourism, or conducting business.  The VWP country must also offer reciprocal privileges to U.S. citizens and meet certain nonimmigrant refusal rates.

In order to travel to the U.S., foreign nationals are required to apply for advanced authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, and also must have national passports incorporating security measures such as biometric identifiers. 

Allowing additional qualifying countries into the VWP can stimulate our economy through increased tourism and business, keeping in mind potential security challenges.  I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act, H.R. 3855, which enhances security measures by forming strategic partnerships with participating governments, while still allowing the ability to extend the VWP framework and welcome new countries into the program.

Taiwan joins 36 other counties that currently participate in the VWP. 

For more information please visit www.dhs.gov or https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.