Monday, 22nd December 2008 - 16:23CET
Updated: Malta joins US Visa Waiver Programme
(Adds details)
Malta has been admitted to the US visa waiver programme (VWP), Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro announced this afternoon.
Membership comes into force on December 30.
A memorandum of understanding for Malta's participation in the programme was signed between the US and the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry last April 11 after talks which involved the US Department of Homeland Security.
Malta started introducing biometric passports in October in what was an important element for admission to the programme.
The Visa Waiver Programme was introduced in 1986 with the aim of facilitating tourism and short term business visits to the United States. It includes 34 countries.
Dr Gonzi said this was an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries. The significance of this agreement was enormous from an economic point of view and showed Malta was a safe jurisdiction.
Rather than applying for a visa, visitors to the US would now have to fill in an online form, called ESTA, by up to 72 hours before travelling. An information campaign will be held.
Ms Bordonaro said this programme facilitated travel between the two countries and would only serve to strengthen the excellent relations between the two countries. She said that commercial ties had consistently grown stronger in the three years she has been ambassador.
She said that the Visa Waiver Programme and the double taxation agreement signed in August meant that the way was open for even stronger commercial exchanges between the two countries.
The US Embassy in a statement said Malta’s entry into the Visa Waiver Programme does not mean that visas will go away entirely. Maltese citizens who already hold a valid visa for the United States can continue to travel using that visa. In addition, persons who wish to travel to the U.S. for a period of more than 90 days or for a purpose other than tourism or business, such as to study or to work, will still need to apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy.
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Comments
You have every right to air your views. As a Maltese-American, I believe in the right to free speech....let's just hope that that "free speech" is worth listening or reading.
Your quote: Who wants to go there anyway?
Peter, thousands upon thousands of people risk their lives to go there - every year. There must be some magnetism there.....You don't sound like a person who has been there, or else you wouldn't be typing such things.
Your quote: They should be grateful we allow them to have an embassy here!
Yes, of course we need a US embassy here, for both Americans and Maltese. Just like the Maltese need consulates while they are in the US.
One more comment about the US. This is a great country, she has welcomed me with open arms and gave me the same opportunities it gives others who were born here.
I am proud of Maltese heritage and I am also proud of be an American, needless to say I feel very blessed to be a Maltese-American.
This is good news as it sends a very positive message by our long time friends, yes the USA.
Mr Abel Abela, prosit on your comment.
Mr Peter Murry, your comment must have been written without even trying to consider the positive message being sent our friends.
Ms. Bordinaro, thank you for your efforts on this and on the immigration issue etc. I hope that your appointment in Malta will continue for much longer.
Happy Christmas to all
Positive or not, the question arises whether the net effect is paying more or the same amount of money to the Maltese passport office instead of the US embassy. I personally see the requirement of biometric passports a futile attempt using technology to move an agenda against the US war on terror. Biometric passports have already been defeated according to technology journals.
Without wanting to sound alarmist, it could be used as yet another tool for the big brother. I don't have a problem about that. I have a problem with respect to the people/orgranizations with access to that system.
If I were you I would ask when I was there about that, and ask where the chip was etc etc, to be sure. I have looked over my passport repeatedly but there doesn't seem to be any visible chip anywhere. If you get a reply, do post here for the rest of us!
I am going to pick the passport tomorrow. And it might not still be good enough???
Thanks Austin
Tony
If not, how much does it cost to get a new passport compared to applying for a VISA to the US?