US visa waiver entry expected by year's end

Ivan Camilleri, Brussels

Malta's much-anticipated entry into the US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) should be made possible by the end of the year, US sources in Brussels said yesterday.

The introduction of biometric passports last week appears to be seen in Washington as the final step before the island's entry into the programme, which will enable Maltese citizens to travel to the US without a visa.

A delegation from the US homeland security department held an inspection in Malta two weeks ago to check whether the island met all the requirements for entry into the programme.

The EU member states that joined in 2004 have been insisting for years that the US lift the visa requirement, as is already the case with the old member states except Greece.

Despite various promises by the American administration, progress on this issue has been slow, particularly due to security concerns raised by the US Congress.

However, as the Bush administration is drawing to a close, expectations of a positive conclusion are growing.

US sources said the plan is that the EU member states will be admitted in two intakes, both by the end of this year.

Asked whether Malta will be admitted in the first intake, planned for mid-November, the sources said Malta's entry date has not yet been determined.

The issue featured prominently during a 2006 meeting between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and US President George Bush in Washington.

Earlier this year Malta signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US on integration into the VWP.

Comments

Mary Pace (on 15/10/08)

Dear Melissa, Congratulations on obtaining your citizenship back. I have a family member that has been battling to get his back for over 5 years. His entire family live in the United States and he has no option but to remain separated from them, including his mother who is a US citizen. Govenments or not, these are peoples' lives at stake and as we all know life is too short to be separated from loved ones. I would truly like to know which procedure was undertaken for you to manage to get your citizenship back. Should you be willing to share it would be greatly appreciated.

Melissa Bagley (on 15/10/08)

Dear Mary, I am one of those children brought back from the US in the 1980s, and I had to go through the indignity and humiliation of choosing between Maltese and US citizenship in 1992. Yes, it is possible to get US citizenship reinstated. I just did, and my children enjoy US citizenship too. There is no need to get the Maltese government involved - and anyway, I see no solution there!

Mary Pace (on 14/10/08)

What is happening about USA born that had to give up their US citizenship under the the Maltese government of the 1970 & 80's when they were brought to Malta by their parents. It is about time that the Maltese government try and get their US citizenship back so they can return to their birth country and settle there with the rest of their family.

M Pace (on 14/10/08)

The Bush-Gonzi meeting was held in 2005 not 2006.