Countries / Territories
- 🌐
The United States government recently announced dramatic changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows visa free travel to the US for qualified nationals of 38 countries after making an online application using ESTA authorisation. The changes are intended to benefit the legitimate travel of the over one million passengers arriving to the US every day. The changes, implemented on January 21, 2016, affect nationals of qualifying VWP countries who are also Nationals of ‘countries of concern’ namely Iran, Iraq, Syria and Sudan as well as Nationals of VWP countries who have travelled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan after March 1, 2011.
Approximately 16,000 dual nationals with ESTA authorization have been identified and had their ESTA authorizations revoked. United States Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) is reaching out to those whose ESTA authorizations have been revoked on the basis of dual nationality with the largest portion of people affected being Australian, French, German, Swedish and British. These individuals will need to apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at a US consulate overseas before they can travel to the US for business or tourism and are likely to face additional security checks and delays.
The VWP changes create an exemption from the bar imposed for those who travelled to a country of concern for military or diplomatic purposes on behalf of a VWP country, and authorizes the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant a waiver of either provision if it is determined that to do so would be in the interest of US law enforcement or national security interests. To date, 1,600 individuals affected by travelling to a country of concern since March 1, 2011, have been identified by DHS and may have their ESTA authorizations cancelled in the future.
For those who have travelled to a county of concern since March 1, 2011 but have not had their ESTA authorization officially revoked and/or been notified these people will be adjudicated for admissibility eligibility at the point of entry by CBP to determine if they qualify for an exemption based on military or diplomatic service. Those found ineligible for an exemption will have the opportunity to apply for a waiver at the Point of Entry.
Finally, the law changing the VWP allows for constant revision of the countries of concern. There are already additional countries that may be added soon. To avoid the disappointing and frustrating cancellation of a planned trip due to being found ineligible or inadmissible under the changes to the VWP please contact the Fragomen Consular Practice for Asia-Pacific Team.
Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
Media mentions
Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Blog post
Manager Dr Adela Schmidt and Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler analyse the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against Germany concerning its Vander Elst visa requirements for third-country nationals providing short-term cross-border services and explain why current compliance obligations remain unchanged.
Blog post
Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.
Awards
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu, Partner Charles Johanes, Practice Leaders Hedvika and Leader Ben Lear and Senior Associate Hannah Scanlan are recognized in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as leading immigration practitioners in Australia.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, marking two decades of recognition since 2006. The firm is also the only firm ranked Band 1 in the Global: Multi-Jurisdictional Immigration category and receives additional individual recognitions in the USA: Business Immigration rankings.
Blog post
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
Media mentions
Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Blog post
Manager Dr Adela Schmidt and Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler analyse the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against Germany concerning its Vander Elst visa requirements for third-country nationals providing short-term cross-border services and explain why current compliance obligations remain unchanged.
Blog post
Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.
Awards
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu, Partner Charles Johanes, Practice Leaders Hedvika and Leader Ben Lear and Senior Associate Hannah Scanlan are recognized in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as leading immigration practitioners in Australia.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, marking two decades of recognition since 2006. The firm is also the only firm ranked Band 1 in the Global: Multi-Jurisdictional Immigration category and receives additional individual recognitions in the USA: Business Immigration rankings.