The US Homeland Security Agency recently announced a change in the visa waiver program that continues to allow residents of 27 countries to visit the USA without a visa.  The list of countires covered under the visa waiver program includes most Western European nations and various other countries that have established reciprocal agreements with the USA to allow visa-free travel.

Under the new program, all visitors to the USA, that come without a visa, will be required to register on the Internet at least two days before departure.  Currently, all visitors coming to the USA without a visa are required to fill out a written document en route, and have it inspected by a security officer at the point of entry.  The US Homeland Security Director said that this new procedure will allow them to check the visitors against their terrorist watch list prior to departure. 

Visitors entering the USA without a visa will only need to register once every two years.  One on-line registration could cover multiple trips to the USA.  It is unclear whether this new policy will result in any improvement of service or any added convenience to the traveler.

The new on-line registration will be available by August 2008, but will not become mandatory until January 2009.  Welcome all to the United States of Paranoia!