Bureau of Consular Affairs; VISAS: Passports and Visas Not Required for Certain NonimmigrantsVWPP

[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]


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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]
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