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Citizens of Poland Now Eligible for U.S. Visa Waiver Program

14 Nov

Effective November 11, 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in coordination with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced the designation of Poland into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. 

Certain Polish nationals are now eligible to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program for permissible tourism or business visitor activities, without first obtaining a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to visit the United States, with admission for up to 90 days for each entry at the ultimate discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Immigration Inspector. DHS advises that Polish citizens who currently hold valid B-1/B-2 visas should continue to utilize their visas until their expiration, at which time they may seek to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

Eligible citizens from all Visa Waiver Program countries must first obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States under this program. Applicants may submit their applications via the CBP website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta.

ESTA is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Upon completion of an ESTA application, the traveler is notified of his or her eligibility to travel to the U.S. under the program. These authorizations are valid for two (2) years. Visa Waiver travelers should carry a copy of their authorization printout along with their valid passport. CBP recommends submitting ESTA applications at least 72 hours in advance of international travel.

Frequently Asked Questions and more information about ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program may be found in our Firm’s prior news release.