# Plain Language Summary: Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023

The Visa Waiver Program currently allows citizens from about 40 countries to visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without getting a visa beforehand. This bill tightens the security requirements for this program by adding new rules about who can participate and what information the government collects about travelers.

Specifically, the bill requires participating countries to share more information with the U.S. about their citizens—things like criminal records, security threats, and travel patterns. It also makes it easier for the U.S. to temporarily remove a country from the program if that country isn't cooperating with security standards or if there's a security concern. The bill also requires travelers in the program to provide more detailed information when they enter the country, and it gives the government more authority to deny entry to people who don't meet stricter security standards.

For most American travelers, this means the process of visiting countries in the Visa Waiver Program might stay about the same, though there could be slightly more questions asked when entering the U.S. For foreign visitors from these countries coming to America, the changes could mean more thorough background checks and potentially longer processing times. The main impact is behind the scenes—the government is trying to make sure that people entering through this faster process don't pose security risks. If you're a citizen of a Visa Waiver country planning to visit the U.S., you might notice stricter questioning or additional documentation requirements, but the basic ability to visit without a visa would remain for most people.

Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023

Rubio, Marco

Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023 This bill imposes additional requirements on countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens or nationals of such countries to travel to the United States without a visa. Specifically, a country that is part of the program must (1) share information with the United States about any of its citizens or nationals who are known or suspected to be involved with terrorism, and (2) establish frameworks for enhanced law enforcement cooperation with the United States. The Department of Homeland Security must terminate a country from the program if it fails to comply with these requirements.