Pages

THE REASONS FOR EXPANDING THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM




LAW OFFICES OF NORKA M. SCHELL BLOG

11 Broadway, Suite 615
New York, NY 10004
Tel. (212)564-1589/ (973)621-9300

Website: www.lawschell.com 




WHY EXPAND THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM:

VWP increases international visitation to the United States. Extending the Visa Waiver Program to strong candidates such as Brazil, Poland, Israel, Croatia and other select countries would:

Add 1 million additional visitors to the United States;

Add nearly $10 billion to the U.S. economy; and

Support nearly 60,000 additional American jobs.

Expansion will help local communities. Inbound international travel to the United States is America’s number one service export. Overseas visitors — i.e., international visitors other than those from our next-door neighbors Canada and Mexico — spend an average of nearly $4,500 per trip and generate tax revenue in communities across America without burdening local services, such as public schools and fire departments.

Expansion will support American jobs and economic growth.
International visitors:

Support 1.2 million American jobs, and

Add $180.7 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

Expansion will enhance U.S. security. Visa-free travelers to the United States are pre-screened and pre-approved for entry, resulting in enhanced border security and a more secure customs and entry process.

Expansion does not increase risk of overstay. The overwhelming majority of visa applicants from Brazil and other countries under consideration for Visa Waiver eligibility abide by the terms of their visas, and there is no reason to believe that VWP expansion would change that.

VWP is working. Expanding the program would increase its benefits. Visitors from 38 countries currently enjoy secure, visa-free entry into the United States. Updating the VWP eligibility requirements to allow visa-free entry for more travelers from countries closely allied to the United States, including Poland, Israel and Brazil, would boost U.S. economic growth and job creation.*1 













---------------------------------
1. See U.S. Travel Association Global Entry available at https://www.ustravel.org/government-affairs/international-policy-issues; Electronic System for Travel Authorization available at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta







LAW OFFICES OF NORKA M. SCHELL BLOG

11 Broadway, Suite 615
New York, New York 10004
Tel. (212)564-1589
Website: www.lawschell.com 


Here is the Department of State summary of the availability of the immigrant numbers during the August 2015.


FAMILY SPONSORED PREFERENCES
Family-SponsoredAll Chargeability Areas Except Those ListedCHINA-mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F101NOV0701NOV07 01NOV0715NOV9415MAR00
F2A15DEC1315DEC1315DEC1301NOV1315DEC13
F2B15NOV0815NOV0815NOV0808APR95 22MAY04
F308APR0408APR0408APR0422APR9422AUG93
F401DEC0201DEC0201DEC0201MAR9715JAN92


EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
Employment- Based
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed
CHINA - mainland bornINDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
1stCCCCC
2ndC15DEC1301OCT08CC
3rd15JUL1501JUN0401JUN0415JUL1501JUN04
Other Workers15JUL1501JAN0401JUN0415JUL1501JUN04
4thCCCCC
Certain Religious WorkersCCCCC
5th
Targeted
Employment
Areas/
Regional Centers
and Pilot Programs
C01SEP13CCC