"Starting October 26' date=' 2004, visa waiver travelers from ALL 27 Visa Waiver Program countries must present either a machine-readable passport at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa, otherwise a U.S. visa is required"[/i']

The twenty seven countries are basically the EU, before the last expansion, Australia, NZ, Singapore and Brunei.

And if you come from the middle east, it doesn't matter that you have worked for a US company for ten years, thereby contributing to the wealth of the US, you will be subject to long queues, long delays, and a patronising almost abusive interrogation, when you initially apply for the visa and when you seek to enter the country.

Ophiolite, as I said before, I'm feeling a little sheepish about not knowing that.

 

You know, something doesn't seem to add up here. If they require visa's, which understandably would cause delays along with some scrutiny. I'd think the terrorists would just come across the border along with the other 3 million illegal aliens per year.......or come in from Canada, they're pretty liberal on immigrants.

Indeed. I'm not exactly sure why visas are a bad thing aside from the hassle.

well the election is over

yeah... and bush won, not many people seem that pleased about it though, although seemingly a large (or larger than 4 years ago) amount of americans will be pleased. not the ones which go on here though by the looks of things! (or looking at the votes just over 2/3 of you)

Indeed. I'm not exactly sure why visas are a bad thing aside from the hassle.

Actually it's a good idea, I'd go along with it if they'd seal our borders.

 

Don't ask me how..........

300,000+ per year along the mexican border. where did you get your stats of 3 million? i got 300,000 from a documentry on the border patrol.

I read around 3 million in Time mag.

300,000+ per year along the mexican border. where did you get your stats of 3 million? i got 300,000 from a documentry on the border patrol.

I heard 3 million when O'Reilly was interviewing Bush

actually, this documentary was from the early 90's, so you're probably right. lol. outdated. sorry bout that.

ay, as our fearless leader said, we have too many illegal immigrants to grant amnesty to, and we must get rid of them, but at the same time our borders are safer than ever

Indeed. I'm not exactly sure why visas are a bad thing aside from the hassle.

 

Hassle is one problem of course - it takes ages to get one, so you can't just go to the US for a quickly organised business trip - it has to be organised months in advance.

 

Secondly there is cost. To get a US visa, you have to call a visa line at the US embassy (you can't go in person). This line costs something like $2 a minute and they keep you on hold for half an hour, before cutting you off so that you have to call back. And then they charge you for the visa itself! True American capitalism in action.

 

Finally there is the issue that they don't give them out to everyone. As I said earlier, I have a friend who lives in France but has an Algerian passport. He is a distinguished physics professor in Paris, and is often invited to give plenary talks at big conferences in the US. Unfortunately he cannot go, because the US won't give him a visa. They give no explanation why.

yeah i heard that overseas student numbers are down as well, because of "fixing" up the visa system, which is way overkill. Overseas students are looking elsewhere now. but Europe doesnt seem to be capitalising on it.