[20180315]IF10847_签证豁免计划：平衡旅游业和国家安全.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov March 15, 2018The Visa Waiver Program: Balancing Tourism and National SecurityThe U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is intended to encourage travel to the United States by allowing citizens of more than three dozen countries to visit without obtaining visas from a U.S. consulate. The program was originally established in 1986. In recent years, some Members of Congress and the Trump Administration have expressed concern that potential terrorists holding passports from a VWP country might be able to enter the United States. Discussions over reform of the VWP are occurring at the same time as a recent dip in the number of visitors to the United States from VWP countries. What Is the Visa Waiver Program? The Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act (P.L. 106-396) allows citizens holding a passport from 38 developed nations in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America (see Figure 1) to visit the United States on trips of 90 days or less for business or tourism without first obtaining a visa. The VWP sets standards for travel documents, requires information sharing between member countries and the United States, mandates reporting of lost or stolen travel documents,