Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Video Archive Almanac
About Feedback Privacy Policy
About Feedback Privacy Policy
Search
U.S. News
Nov. 11, 2019 / 12:43 PM

Poland joins U.S. visa waiver program after decades of campaigning

By
Nicholas Sakelaris
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Polish President Andrzej Duda during a Polish-American reception at the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 2019. Photo by Zach Gibson/UPI | License Photo

Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Poland officially joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program Monday, the same day as Polish Independence Day.

The program allows Poles to spend up to 90 days in the United States without a visa. Poland is the first country added since 2014. To qualify, the number of Polish citizens who are refused U.S. visas had to fall below 3 percent. That number was well over 25 percent in 2006. In 2018, the number dropped to 3.99 percent, mostly from Poles who overstayed their visas.

An estimated 23 million travelers arrived through the program from various countries in 2017, generating $190 billion in economic activity in the United States.

"The inclusion of Poland into the Visa Waiver Program is a testament to the special relationship that exists between our two countries, and the ongoing friendship and close cooperation on our joint security priorities," Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan said. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Polish government as we deepen our security cooperation as well as make travel easier for our citizens."

RELATED Polish handlers rescue 9 tigers in middle of trip to Russia

President Donald Trump signed the preliminary authorization to admit Poland to the program on Oct. 4, and it went into effect Monday.

Some are concerned that Poland gave up too many concessions to make the deal happen.

Poland was the only country on the European Union's visa-free travel list to not get that privilege in the United States.

RELATED Poland's ruling party keeps lower house, loses upper chamber

"Poles are very pro-American," Visegrad Insight senior associate Marcin Zaborowski told Al Jazeera. "It influences our political decisions, such as participating in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We back the U.S. in the United Nations. We hosted a [U.S.-led] Middle East Summit in February."

LOT Polish Airlines launched an education campaign to choose the correct visa type so Poles wouldn't run afoul of U.S. immigration.

Managing director at the American Chamber of Commerce in Poland Dorota Dabrowska-Winterscheid said the final impetus came from U.S. ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher.

RELATED Exit polls show Polish Law and Justice party winning parliamentary elections

[Mosbacher] took lead of the issue, and became its face," Dabrowska-Winterscheid told Al Jazeera. "Perhaps until now we were simply missing such a leader. During our meetings, she would speak about the problem and ask firms directly."

The United States recently stationed 1,000 additional troops in Poland as the "cherry on top" for U.S-Polish relations, said Professor Arthur Wroblewski, a lecturer in American studies at Warsaw Lazarski University.

American Airlines will launch the first route from Chicago to Krakow in 2020 while LOT Polish Airlines will increase seats on current routes to the United States by 20 percent.

But it's a different type of aircraft that could be motivating the decision.

"In exchange for the visas, which have little practical meaning, we were willing to offer to buy F-35 planes, which we do not need at all," Zabrowski said.

  • Topics
  • Kevin McAleenan
  • Donald Trump
  • Al Jazeera
  • War in Afghanistan
  • Immigration & Border Security

Latest Headlines

Minnesota National Guard identifies soldiers killed in helicopter crash
U.S. News // 57 minutes ago
Minnesota National Guard identifies soldiers killed in helicopter crash
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Minnesota National Guard has identified the three soldiers who were killed in last week's helicopter crash as having returned in May from a nine-month deployment to the Middle East.

Lawmakers reach deal for arbitration on bill to prevent surprise medical payments
U.S. News // 3 hours ago
Lawmakers reach deal for arbitration on bill to prevent surprise medical payments
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A bipartisan group House and Senate leaders reached a deal Sunday on legislation seeking to protect patients from surprise medical bills.

FBI investigating shooting at Navy base as act of terrorism
U.S. News // 7 hours ago
FBI investigating shooting at Navy base as act of terrorism
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The FBI said Sunday that it is investigating a shooting at a U.S. naval base in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday as an act of terrorism.

Bundle up: Coldest air yet this season to send Midwest into deep freeze
U.S. News // 8 hours ago
Bundle up: Coldest air yet this season to send Midwest into deep freeze
An invasion of Arctic air will plunge temperatures to their lowest levels since last winter, and may set the stage for the biggest lake-effect snow event so far this season in the Midwest.

House 'presumably' will present impeachment articles this week: Nadler
U.S. News // 8 hours ago
House 'presumably' will present impeachment articles this week: Nadler
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler said Sunday that he expects his panel will present articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump this week.

Houston, Huntsville, Fayettesville police officers dead in line of duty
U.S. News // 10 hours ago
Houston, Huntsville, Fayettesville police officers dead in line of duty
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Two police personnel were shot dead over two days:a Houston police sergeant responding to a domestic disturbance, a Fayetteville officer behind the Arkansas city's police station and police officer in Huntsville, Ala., i

Arctic blast to usher in rapid freeze-up, snow potential in Northeast
U.S. News // 14 hours ago
Arctic blast to usher in rapid freeze-up, snow potential in Northeast
Residents in the Northeast will need all types of outerwear early this week as soaking rain and a surge of milder air will be quickly followed by tumbling temperatures and perhaps some snow.

Arizona couple found dead of likely hypothermia after being buried in snow
U.S. News // 1 day ago
Arizona couple found dead of likely hypothermia after being buried in snow
Dec. 7 (UPI) -- An elderly Arizona couple has died of likely hypothermia after being found buried in snow, authorities said Saturday.

Trump halts designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations
U.S. News // 1 day ago
Trump halts designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations
Dec. 7 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said he's halting plans announced late last month to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

Veterans, dignitaries remember Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii
U.S. News // 1 day ago
Veterans, dignitaries remember Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii
Dec. 7 (UPI) -- One of the last remaining survivors of the USS Arizona attended a ceremony Saturday marking the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, along with other veterans and dignitaries.

Trending Stories

Houston, Huntsville, Fayettesville police officers dead in line of duty
Houston, Huntsville, Fayettesville police officers dead in line of duty
House 'presumably' will present impeachment articles this week: Nadler
House 'presumably' will present impeachment articles this week: Nadler
North Korea: 'Very important test' at satellite launch site
North Korea: 'Very important test' at satellite launch site
FBI investigating shooting at Navy base as act of terrorism
FBI investigating shooting at Navy base as act of terrorism
New Delhi factory fire kills at least 43 workers while sleeping
New Delhi factory fire kills at least 43 workers while sleeping

Photo Gallery

 
Moments from the Fashion Awards in London
Moments from the Fashion Awards in London

Latest News

Minnesota National Guard identifies soldiers killed in helicopter crash
Redskins RB Derrius Guice suffers knee injury vs. Packers, will undergo MRI
Missouri to hire Appalachian State's Eli Drinkwitz as head football coach
Baker Mayfield rips Cleveland Browns for mishandling Odell Beckham Jr.'s injury
'Star Trek,' 'Benson,' actor Rene Auberjonois dies at 79
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy