EU states could lose US visa waivers

The review of the US Visa Waiver Program, formally introduced to the Congress on 3 December 2015, raised concerns that the bill could see select EU member states lose visa waiver perks if they did not comply with stricter security measures.

Following the support of the House of Representatives, ambassadors from member states threathened to introduce visas for US citizens entering the European Union.

ESO: Background information: EU gives US six months to come clean on visa policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-gives-us-six-months-to-come-clean-on-visa-policy/

Politico, 25.11.15: In praise of the US Visa Waiver Program http://www.politico.eu/article/in-praise-of-the-us-visa-waiver-program/

Politico, 03.12.15: Europe urges Congress to slow down on visa waiver changes http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/congress-visas-europe-216416

ESO: Background information: Bulgaria links US visa treatment to TTIP http://www.europeansources.info/record/bulgaria-links-us-visa-treatment-to-ttip/

EurActiv, 08.12.15: US passes bill to keep away ‘foreign fighters’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/us-passes-bill-keep-away-foreign-fighters-320244

EUObserver, 15.12.15: EU threatens to impose visas on US citizens https://euobserver.com/justice/131520

EurActiv, 17.12.15: EU protests US limitations to visa-free travel http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/eu-protests-us-limitations-visa-free-travel-320531

Politico, 17.12.15: US plan to restrict visa waiver program amid terrorism fears http://www.politico.eu/article/us-plan-to-restrict-visa-waiver-program-amid-terrorism-fears-republican-eu/

Politico, 22.01.16: US visa changes hit Europeans http://www.politico.eu/article/us-visa-changes-hit-europeans-dual-nationality-iran-iraq-syria/

The Guardian, 21.01.16: New US visa rules could also cause problems for Americans visiting Europe http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/21/new-us-visa-rules-could-also-cause-problems-for-americans-visiting-europe

Deutsche Welle, 22.01.16: US implements new visa requirements http://dw.com/p/1Hi3V

The New York Times, 21.01.16: U.S. Tightens Visa Rules for Some European Visitors http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/22/us/politics/us-tightens-visa-rules-for-some-european-visitors.html

---