Amid rumors about the supposed end of the Visa and passport, the United States recalled that immigration requirements remain in force.
In recent days, a publication became a trend on social networks by stating that The United States would allow the entry of foreigners without a visa or passport, only with your identification document.
The news generated excitement among travelers and curiosity among those who dream of knowing the North American country. However, the version that is circulating is imprecise and mixes real information with data out of context.
Although there are immigration facilities for certain countries, the essential requirements to enter the United States remain. Neither the visa nor the passport have been eliminated.
The confusion arose as a result of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), known as the Visa Waiver Program, a mechanism that the US Government has maintained for several years with 41 allied countries.
This program allows citizens of those nations to enter the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days, without processing the traditional type B1/B2 visa.
Among the beneficiary countries are Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Chile, The latter being the only one in Latin America that is part of the program.
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However, this benefit does not imply that travelers can enter without documents. To do so, they must have a valid electronic passport and arrange an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) before boarding your flight.
This permit is processed online through the official website of the United States Government and is valid for two years or until the passport expires. In other words, there is a process more agile and digital, but not an elimination of immigration controls.
Travelers arriving in the country must still go through the usual checks of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and ESTA approval does not guarantee automatic entry.
For now, most Latin American countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Argentina must continue processing the visa at the consulate. The United States has not announced any modifications to its immigration policies in this regard.
This is how the program really works
The process is completely digital. The traveler enters the page this.cbp.dhs.gov, Fill out a basic form, pay a $21 fee, and wait for approval. In most cases, the response comes in less than 24 hours.
The system checks background, travel history and possible security alerts. Once approved, the authorization ESTA is valid for two years, or until the passport expires.
With this permit, the traveler can enter the United States multiple times during that period, as long as each stay does not exceed 90 days. But attention!: It does not replace a visa to work, study or reside, nor does it guarantee automatic entry. The last filter is always in the hands of the immigration officer upon arrival in the country.
What does change
- Citizens of included countries no longer need to undergo consular interviews or wait for long visa appointments.
- The entire procedure is digital, fast and from home.
- Much of the bureaucracy is eliminated for those who travel frequently for tourism or business.
What doesn’t change
- The passport is still a mandatory requirement.
- No foreigner can enter with only their national document or ID.
- Not all countries apply.
- In Latin America, only Chile is part of the program.
- Border control remains the same.
- The officers of theCBP may deny entry if the traveler does not meet the requirements or provides inconsistent information.
- The permit is temporary.
- It is only valid for short stays, without the possibility of extension or change of status.
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Furthermore, US authorities have confirmed that there is no official announcement that remove the Visa or passport.
The news circulating on social networks about “entering with just your ID” is false. Even the Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP) itself published an alert reminding that travelers should always verify information through official channels and be wary of pages that promise “fast procedures” or “visa-free entry”since many turn out to be fraudulent.
Although many dreamed that the United States would relax its immigration controls, for now the reality is different. The country maintains strict security and documentation protocolsand only offers relief to nations with special agreements.
