U.S. Senate includes Poland in Visa Waiver programme

Under the current Visa Waiver programme, the United States doesnot require visas from citizens of 15 of the 25 countries in the EU, but the scheme does not apply to Greece or the 10 new member states, except Slovenia.

Poland has not been named in the amendment to the Immigration Act but it is the only new EU member country meeting the updated requirements.

The amendments speak of such countries which are EU members, have provided military aid to the U.S. in Iraq (at least 300 soldiers) and do not pose a terrorist threat.

Responding to the amendment, Poland's ambassador Janusz Reiter welcomed the changes but said there was more work to be done in ensuring Polish people could visit America without a visa.

"This is a completely new situation. This does not mean that the question of visas for Poles has been settled but we are closerto reaching this goal than ever before," he said.

The bill still faces very tough negotiations in the U.S. House of Representatives.

If passed, the amendment will allow Polish citizens to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 60 days without needing to stand in line to get a visa. Enditem

Source: By Wang Nan
Xinhua News Agency