[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15872-15874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7050]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of Consular Affairs

22 CFR Part 41

[Public Notice 2177]


VISAS: Passports and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants

AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This interim rule extends the Visa Waiver Pilot Program to 
September 30, 1996 and creates a new probationary status for certain 
countries which meet the requirements for that status under the Visa 
Waiver Pilot Program and which are designated by the Secretary of State 
and the Attorney General, acting jointly, as countries whose nationals 
benefit from the waiver of the nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visa requirement. 
The extension of time for the Visa Waiver Pilot Program applies to 
those countries already in the program as well as to any countries 
which may be designated thereunder in the future. A statistical 
analysis was made to determine which countries could become visa waiver 
pilot countries with probationary status. As a result of that initial 
analysis it has been determined that Ireland, currently, is the only 
county which meets the criteria set forth for such countries.

DATES: This interim rule is effective on April 1, 1995. Written 
comments are invited and must be received on or before May 30, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted, in duplicate, to the 
Chief, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department 
of State, Washington, DC 20522-0113.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen K. Fischel, Chief, Legislation 
and Regulations Division, Visa Office, Department of State, Washington, 
DC 20522-0113 (202) 663-1204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This interim rule amends part 41, title 22 
of the Code of Federal Regulations concerning visas for nonimmigrants 
pursuant to section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 
U.S.C. 1187, as amended by Pub. L. 103-415, 108 Stat. 4299, approved: 
10/ [[Page 15873]] 25/94 and Pub. L. 103-416, 108 Stat. 4305, approved: 
10/25/94. Pub. L. 103-415 amended section 217 of the INA to extend the 
Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) through September 30, 1995. Pub. L. 
103-416 amended section 217 of the INA to extend the Visa Waiver Pilot 
Program to September 30, 1996, and to create a new probationary status 
for certain countries which meet the requirements for that status under 
the Visa Waiver Pilot Program and which are designated by the Secretary 
of State and the Attorney General, acting jointly, as countries whose 
nationals benefit from the waiver of the nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visa 
requirement. Section 313 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 
1986 (IRCA), Pub. L. 99-603 added section 217 to the INA. Section 217, 
8 U.S.C. 1187, established the nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Pilot Program 
(VWPP) which waives the nonimmigrant visa requirement for the admission 
of certain aliens into the United States for a period not to exceed 
ninety days. That original provision authorized the participation of 
eight countries in the VWPP. A final rule containing regulations 
designed to implement facilitation of the admission of certain 
nonimmigrant alien visitors under the VWPP was published at 53 FR 
24903-24904 of the Federal Register of June 30, 1988. Its publication 
was codified in part 41 of title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), 22 CFR 41.2(1). Under that final rule the United Kingdom was the 
only county designated to received these benefits for its nationals. 
Japan, having agreed to reciprocal treatment for United States citizens 
entering Japan under similar circumstances, was added as a designated 
country under the Pilot Program effective on December 15, 1988 in a 
final rule published at 53 FR 50161-50162 of the Federal Register of 
December 13, 1988. France, The Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, The 
Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, having met all of the 
requirements for participants in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, were 
added later as designated countries participating in the Pilot Program 
(i.e., the six remaining countries under the Eight Country Pilot 
Program established by section 313 of IRCA). This action was 
accomplished by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, acting 
jointly through their designees, in a final rule published at 54 FR 
27120-27121 of the Federal Register of June 27, 1989.
    On November 29, 1990, the President approved the Immigration Act of 
1990 (Pub. L. 101-649, 104 Stat 4978) (IA). Section 201 thereof revised 
the Visa Waiver Pilot Program set forth in section 313 of IRCA (Sec. 
217 INA, 8 U.S.C. 1187). It removed the eight-country cap and and 
extended the program's provisions to all countries that meet the 
qualifying provisions of the Visa Waiver Pilot Program and are 
designated by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General as Pilot 
Program countries thereunder. Section 201 also extended the period of 
the pilot program until September 30, 1994 for the eight pilot program 
countries already designated under IRCA as well as for any additional 
Pilot Program countries that might be designated under the law, as 
amended, subject to their continued qualification thereunder. (See 
also: section 303 of the Immigration Technical Corrections Act of 1991, 
Pub. L. 102-232.)
    As a result of these amendments to section 217 of the INA, Andorra, 
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, 
Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, and Spain, having met all of 
the requirements for participants in the nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Pilot 
Program, were added, effective on October 1, 1991. They were so 
designated as participants in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program by the 
Secretary of State and the Attorney General, acting jointly through 
their designees, in an Interim Rule published at 56 FR 46716-46717 of 
the Federal Register of September 13, 1991.
    Brunei was designated as a participant in the Visa Waiver Pilot 
Program by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, acting 
jointly through their designees, in an interim rule published at 58 FR 
40581-40586 of the Federal Register of July 29, 1993.
    Each of the above rules amended 22 CFR 41.2. This interim rule, 
with request for comments, further amends part 41, title 22 to include 
Ireland as a Visa Waiver Pilot Program country with probationary status 
since it has met the requirements for that status under INA 217, as 
amended.
    Under its own laws, Ireland does not now require visas for 
nationals of the United States entering Ireland for ninety (90) days or 
less. Thus it meets the requirement of providing reciprocal treatment 
for United States nationals entering Ireland. Other requirements are 
that the country meet statutorily prescribed limits on visa refusal 
rates for the prior two year period as well as the prior year; that it 
meet statutorily prescribed limits on rates of exclusion at port of 
entry and on overstay limits, and that it has a machine readable 
passport program. The statutory limits required to be met are higher 
than those required for non-probationary participation in the visa 
waiver program. Ireland also meets the other statutory requirements for 
probationary status. Therefore, Ireland is added, effective April 1, 
1995, as a country with probationary status participating in the Visa 
Waiver Pilot Program. (See the Immigration and Naturalization Service 
rule also published in this issue of the Federal Register.) Therefore, 
effective on the publication date, citizens of Ireland shall be 
eligible for participation in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.

Interim Rule

    The implementation of this rule as an interim rule, with a 30-day 
provision for post-promulgation public comments, is based upon the 
``good cause'' exceptions established by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 
553(d)(3). This rule grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a 
restriction under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) and is considered beneficial to 
both the travelling public and United States businesses. Therefore, it 
is being made effective less than thirty days after publication in the 
Federal Register.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 605(b) (Regulatory Flexibility Act), it 
is certified that this rule does not have a ``significant adverse 
economic impact'' on a substantial number of small entities, because it 
is inapplicable. This rule is exempt from E.O. 12866, but has been 
coordinated with the Immigration and Naturalization Service because 
joint action of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General is 
required under section 217 of the INA, as amended. The rule imposes no 
reporting or record-keeping action on the public requiring the approval 
of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. Nor does this rule have federalism implications warranting the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment in accordance with E.O. 12612. 
This rule has been reviewed as required by E.O. 12778 and is certified 
to be in compliance therewith.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 41

    Aliens, Nonimmigrants, Visas, Passports, Temporary visitors, 
Waivers.

    In view of the foregoing, 22 CFR part 41 is amended as follows:

PART 41--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 41 continues to read:

    Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1104, 66 Stat. 174; 8 U.S.C. 1187, 108 Stat. 
4312 and 4313.

    2. Section 41.2 is amended by revising paragraph (l) to read as 
follows: [[Page 15874]] 


Sec. 41.2  Waiver by Secretary of State and Attorney General of 
passport and/or visa requirements for certain categories of 
nonimmigrants.

* * * * *
    (l) Visa Waiver Pilot Program. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions 
of paragraphs (a) through (k) of this section, a visa is not required 
of any person who seeks admission to the United States for a period of 
90 days or less as a visitor for business or pleasure and who is 
eligible to apply for admission to the United States as a Visa Waiver 
Pilot Program applicant, either as:
    (i) A citizen of a pilot program country; or
    (ii) a citizen of a pilot program country with probationary status, 
pursuant to the provisions of section 217 of the Act, as amended.
    (2) Countries designated as pilot program countries under paragraph 
(l)(1), (i) of this section, are: the United Kingdom (effective July 1, 
1988): Japan (effective December 15, 1988); France and Switzerland 
(effective July 1, 1989); The Federal Republic of Germany and Sweden 
(effective July 15, 1989); Italy and The Netherlands (effective July 
29, 1989); Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, 
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, and 
Spain (effective October 1, 1991; and Brunei (effective July 29, 1993). 
Countries designated as pilot program countries with probationary 
status under paragraph (1)(l)(ii) of this section are: Ireland 
effective April 1, 1995 until September 30, 1998 or the expiration of 
the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, whichever comes first.

    Dated: March 3, 1995.
Mary A. Ryan,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-7050 Filed 3-27-95; 8:45 am]
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