Business, civic, and cultural organizations are banding together in a coalition to promote the participation of South Korea in the U.S. government`s Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Established in 1986, the VWP enables nationals of…
Business, civic, and cultural organizations are banding together in a coalition to promote the participation of South Korea in the U.S. government`s Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Established in 1986, the VWP enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The U.S.-Korea Visa Waiver Program Coalition launched a web site welcome-korea that explains what the program is, why Korea should be able to participate, and how Korean-Americans and others can help the effort to bring South Korea under the VWP umbrella. Based in Washington, D.C., the Coalition`s constituent groups include numerous Korean American community-based organizations.
The Coalition`s mission has three components:
- Foster awareness about South Korea`s efforts to join the VWP
- Garner support from the U.S. Administration and Congress for South Korea`s efforts to join the VWP
- Provide timely reporting on all developments related to South Korea`s efforts to join the VWP
Over 2,000,000 individuals of Korean heritage reside in the United States, with 236 congressional districts home to at least 1,000 Korean Americans. Participation in the VWP will allow relatives, friends, and business associates to visit them without having to apply for a visa.
In 2004, 627,000 South Koreans visited the United States for tourism and business travel, representing the fifth-largest overseas source of visitors. If South Korea becomes a participant of the VWP, the number of tourists to the United States would at least double, raising Korea`s stature to the third-largest tourism generating country.
South Korean travelers spent nearly $2.2 billion during their stay in the United States in 2004, an average of $3,500 per visitor. Should South Korea join the VWP, each additional 100,000 South Korean visitors to the United States will bring nearly $350 million in increased tourism revenue.
The South Korean government fully respects the statutory requirements for entry into the VWP, is unconditionally committed to meeting the criteria, and does not seek special exemption from any of the standards.
