To the U.S. Without A Visa

During my two years in the Czech Republic, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked when Czechs will be able to travel to the U.S. without a visa. Thanks to President Bush’s announcement ten days ago, I now have a good answer. In less than a month, Czechs will not need a visa for short tourism or business visits to the U.S.

This is the first expansion of the Visa Waiver Program, or VWP, since 1999. Joining the program is a significant accomplishment that recognizes the Czech Republic’s increasing importance to the United States as a trade, cultural and security partner. In addition, the Czech people made this possible by abiding by the terms of their visas. There are many reasons why expanding the VWP will help both of our countries. Eliminating the requirement for a visa leads to more economic growth and cooperation at a time when the global economy needs it the most. On top of that, more travel between our countries helps us understand each other’s cultures and get to know each other better. So I certainly hope membership in the VWP means that even more Czechs will visit our country than before. The Association of Czech Travel Agents certainly thinks so: they expect the number of Czechs traveling each year to the U.S. will increase by up to 30 percent.

Remember: only tourists and business visitors can travel without a visa, for visits shorter than 90 days. Students, workers, exchange program visitors, and all other nonimmigrant visa categories still require visas. Equally important, if you already have a valid visa, you can travel on that visa until it expires.

Czechs traveling without a visa also must have a biometric passport and an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, authorization. The ESTA application website is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

For detailed information about traveling without a visa, please visit the embassy’s website, prague.usembassy.gov, and the website of the Czech Ministry of the Interior, http://www.mvcr.cz/zruseni-viz-do-usa.aspx. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also answers a number of questions about ESTA at http//www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/esta_faq.xml.

I wish you safe and happy travels to the United States.