If you are on the list of preferred countries for the VWP program and you have traveled to Cuba since January 12, 2021, please note that you will not be eligible “neither for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), nor to apply for entry with the electronic travel authorization system known as ESTA”.
This was recalled on July 15, 2023 by El Nuevo Herald. This measure includes citizens of Spanish nationality who have visited the Caribbean island since January 2021, plus Cuban-Spanish citizens, as they hold dual citizenship, the outlet explained.
What is the VWP? The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 40 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism and stay there for up to 90 days without a visa.
While THISindicated cbp.gov, is an automated system that determines whether visitors are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
But not only the Spaniards will be restricted by the measure. Also, the Florida outlet adds, are other nationalities belonging to the European Union (EU) as well as Chileans, meaning citizens of 40 countries that are part of the VWP and have visited Cuba since that date.
People who visited Cuba on or after January 12, 2021 can no longer travel to the United States with an ESTA (visa waiver program) and must apply for a visa in return.
US Embassy and Consulate in Spain and Andorra
Here are the reasons why they deny entry to the United States to visa-exempt travelers
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In which cases you are not eligible for entry into the United States
The United States Department of State designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism (SST) on January 12, 2021.
The situations are identified by the site as follows: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
This is the little known R visa to work in the United States. Who can apply and how?
What option is there to travel to the United States?
Ineligibility for an ESTA is not a barrier to travel to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) clarified.
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If a citizen has encountered the aforementioned restrictions and needs to enter a US state, they will need a non-immigrant visa to be processed at a US embassy or consulate, reports El Nuevo Herald.
The doors of the US can open for you temporary B-1 visa for business people and the B-2 visa to go sightseeing, visit friends or relatives and for medical treatment, the aforementioned American media clarify.
For those in doubt, they state: “One of the main advantages of the tourist visa is its validity of up to 10 years compared to the two-year duration of an ESTA.
A non-immigrant visa allows you to stay in the US for up to six months, instead of the 90 days under the VWP program.
Basic Questions and Answers for Applying for a United States Tourist Visa
US tourist visa
To process it, El Nuevo Herald indicates that you:
Then you have to wait to see if they give the green light or deny your visa.
How do you get the US tourist visa?
Ask for advice if you have traveled to Cuba since January 2021, don’t get carried away by unsubstantiated information.
Visit this link for more information on eligibility for travel under the Terrorist Travel Prevention and Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act.
With information from El Nuevo Herald and esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Source: Eluniverso
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