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Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Last Updated: July 29, 2022 | Press Releases

Readout of Secretary Mayorkas’s Meeting with Israeli Minister of Public Security Omer Bar Lev

On July 28, 2022, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas met with Israeli Minister of Public Security Omer Bar Lev to discuss shared security priorities and sign a Declaration of Intent on Promoting Cooperation in Combating Illicit Finance, which includes the establishment of a joint working group to combat illicit financial networks.

Last Updated: June 29, 2022 | Press Releases

Readout of Secretary Mayorkas’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Božinović of Croatia

On June 28, 2022, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas met with Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Republic of Croatia. Secretary Mayorkas congratulated Croatia on its recent entry to the Visa Waiver Program and expressed his appreciation for Croatia's ambition to be the next country to join the Global Entry program.

Last Updated: September 28, 2021 | Press Releases

Secretary Mayorkas Announces Designation of Croatia as a New Participant in the Visa Waiver Program

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in coordination with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, designated Croatia as a new participant in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  Starting no later than December 1, 2021, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated to allow citizens and nationals of Croatia to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a U.S. visa.

Last Updated: January 16, 2018 | Testimony

Written testimony of DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing titled “Oversight of the United States Department of Homeland Security”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen addresses the current threat environment, DHS’ efforts to elevate the baseline of its security posture, and how the Department’s immigration priorities are helping to secure the Nation.

Last Updated: May 3, 2017 | Testimony

Written testimony of CBP, ICE, PLCY for a House Committee on Homeland Security, Task Force on Denying Terrorist Entry into the United States hearing titled “Preventing Terrorists from Acquiring U.S. Visas”

DHS Office of Policy Acting Assistant Secretary for Border, Immigration and Trade Michael Dougherty, CBP Office of Field Operations Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner John Wagner, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Director for National Security Investigations Division Clark Settles address the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent terrorists and other criminal actors from entering the United States, either by acquiring U.S. visas or traveling through the Visa Waiver Program

Last Updated: September 14, 2016 | Testimony

Written testimony of I&A, USCIS, TSA, ICE, and CBP for a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled “Shutting Down Terrorist Pathways into America”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Under Secretary Francis Taylor, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodriguez, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Deputy Administrator Huban Gowadia, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Daniel Ragsdale, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner Kevin McAleenan address DHS’ efforts to prevent foreign terrorist groups from traveling to the United States to launch attacks.

Last Updated: May 17, 2016 | Testimony

Written testimony of PLCY, TSA, and CBP for a House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security hearing titled “Flying Blind: What are the security risks of resuming U.S. Commercial Air Service to Cuba?”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Policy (PLCY) Assistant Secretary for Border, Immigration, and Trade Policy Seth Stodder, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Global Strategies Assistant Administrator Paul Fujimura, TSA Representative Larry Mizell, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) CBP Office of Field Operations Executive Assistant Commissioner John Wagner address DHS’ role in aviation security as it pertains to commercial air service between the United States and Cuba.

Last Updated: March 8, 2016 | Testimony

Written testimony of CBP Deputy Commissioner for a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing titled “FY 2017 Budget Request for U.S. Customs and Border Protection & U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner Kevin McAleenan addresses how CBP is using the resources provided by Congress efficiently and effectively, and demonstrates how the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request supports CBP’s continued commitment to keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the United States, securing the border, and facilitating lawful international trade and travel.

Last Updated: February 10, 2016 | Testimony

Written testimony of CBP Commissioner for a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled “National Security and Law Enforcement: Breaking the New Visa Waiver Law to Appease Iran”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske addresses the Visa Waiver Program and the implementation of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016.

Last Updated: February 10, 2016 | Testimony

Written testimony of CBP Commissioner for a House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, and Subcommittee on Government Operations hearing titled “The President’s Waiver of Restrictions on the Visa Waiver Program”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske addresses the Visa Waiver Program and the implementation of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016.