U.S. Travel Applauds Administration Move to Include Chile in U.S. Visa Waiver Program

Expanding Visa-Free Travel to the United States Will Boost U.S. Economic Growth and Job Creation

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Travel Association today applauded the U.S. Department of State for nominating Chile forinclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This addition would enable Chilean nationals to enjoy the same visa-free entry that travelers from 37 other nations currently have access to, making it easier for them to travel to the United States for business and leisure purposes and driving additional U.S. jobs and economic growth.

"Expanding visa-free travel from allied nations to the United States is a proven path to increased economic prosperity for communities all across America while also enhancing our national security," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "We applaud the State Department for nominating Chile for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program. U.S. Travel was the first to call for Chile's inclusion in this important program in 2011, and we have been advocating for it ever since. We hope this nomination will allow visitors from Chile to officially join the program by the end of the year and start enjoying visa-free travel to America."

VWP allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. without obtaining a nonimmigrant visitor visa for stays of up to 90 days for business or leisure, but not for work, study or residency. Visa-free travelers to the U.S. are prescreened and preapproved for entry, resulting in enhanced border security and a more secure customs and entry process. To participate in the VWP, countries must be certified by the Department of Homeland Security as meeting stringent security standards.

Inbound international travel to the U.S. is America's No. 1 services export. Easing the process for international travelers from friendly countries to visit is good for U.S. growth and public diplomacy. Overseas visitors – i.e., international visitors from those countries other than Canada and Mexico – spend an average of nearly $4,500 per trip and generate tax revenue in communities across America without burdening local services.

Expanding VWP could, if extended to Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Israel, Panama, Poland, Romania and Uruguay:

• Increase annual visitation by more than 600,000;
• Add more than $7 billion to the U.S. economy; and
• Support more than 40,000 additional American jobs.