MALAYSIA will be listed as a designated country in the United States Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) by next year once the two remaining documents are signed between the two countries. These are the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6, to be signed by the deputy prime minister, during his current official visit to the US, and Secretary of State John Kerry; and, the Preventing and Combating Serious Crime Agreement to be signed by President Barack Obama and the prime minister during the formers visit to Kuala Lumpur for the Asean Summit next month. Being on the VWP will allow Malaysians a visa-free entry into the US, although pre-clearance ” a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) ” is necessary. The ESTA determines eligibility to travel without a visa. In short, the only convenience extended to the traveller by the VWP is getting clearance electronically at the ESTA webpage instead of a visit to the local US visa office.
To continue reading the rest of the article, click here