[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 1999)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 35] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-34783] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 41 [Public Notice 2939] Bureau of Consular Affairs; VISAS: Passports and Visas Not Required for Certain Nonimmigrants--VWPP
Agency
Bureau of Consular Affairs, DOS.
Action
Final rule.
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Summary
This final rule adopts the interim rules which added Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain as participating countries in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP), eliminated probationary entry status.
Dates
The rule takes effect January 4, 1999.
For Further Information Contact
H. Edward Odom, Chief, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Office, Room L603-C, SA-1, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-0106, (202) 663-1203.
Supplementary Information
This final rule amends Part 41, Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations concerning visas for nonimmigrants pursuant to section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Over the past several years the Department published the following interim rules amending 22 CFR 42.1(l): (1) 56 FR 46716, September 13, 1991, which removed the eight- country cap and added Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino and Spain to the list of participating countries and extended the VWPP Program through September 30, 1994; (2) 58 FR 40585, July 29, 1993, which added Brunei as a participating country; (3) 60 FR 15872, March 28, 1995, which extended the program through September 30, 1996, created a probationary status for the VWPP and added Ireland as a country with probationary status; (4) 61 FR 35628, July 8, 1996, which added Argentina; (5) 61 FR 39318, July 29, 1996, which added Australia; and (6) 62 FR 51030, September 30, 1997, which eliminated probationary entry status for countries, designated Ireland as a permanent participating country and added Slovenia to the VWPP. Pub. L. 105-173, enacted on April 27, 1998, extends the Program through April 30, 2000.
Comments
Each of the six interim rules invited interested persons to submit written comments concerning these amendments. No comments were received. This rule makes final the above-listed interim rules.
Final Rule
This final rule implements the regulation as published on September 30, 1997 [62 FR 51030]. This regulation is being promulgated in conjunction with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) because action by the Attorney General in consultation with the Secretary of State is required under section 217 of the INA, as amended. (See INS Rule also published in the Federal Register on December 30, 1998.) As no comments were received, the interim rule published on September 30, 1997 [62 FR 51030] is incorporated herein as a final rule.
PART 41--VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 22 CFR part 41 which was published at 62 FR 51030 is adopted as a final rule without change.
Dated: November 16, 1998. Nancy H. Sambaiew, Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs. [FR Doc. 98-34783 Filed 12-31-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710-06-P