Poland- Visa Waiver Program

The US Senate has recently passed America's Borders Act S. 2454 Visa Waiver for Poland. I havent heard much new about it and thought that there may be some more info coming from Poland.

From what I understand is that in order to qualify-
Refusal rate: In order to qualify for VWP participation that country must average less than 3% for the previous fiscal year. I heard that Poland has a 30% refusal rate. True?

Must be sufficiently stable to ensure that conditions which could affect VWP qualifying criteria (such as overstay rates in the U.S.) are not likely to change dramatically in the future.

VWP candidate countries must demonstrate that effective border controls are in place for all territory under their control. I believe PL borders are well secure. Is this also true?

The degree to which host country law enforcement agencies cooperate with U.S. counterparts. i've never had any issue with PL police. I often hear stories of corruption(which we also have in the US). Do most/all officers speak english as a requirement?

Any security concerns that could be raised by a country's admission into the VWP program will be considered. I don't see PL as being a terrorist threat....at all.

I think the only thing that may be holding you back is the refusal rate. Do you know why it's so high? Now that you're part of the EU do you think it will decrease?

Thaoughts/Comments?

Hmm - they passed this act already? Does it mean it's the law now?

Well, I think it's because of the... US clerks. They all think you go to the US to work... They make up "the refusal rate". I myself was refused to get a tourist visa once - fortunately I received a student one back in 1999. IMO the US embassy makes A LOT of money and don't give much in return (they take how much -- about $150 or so from each "candidate" to receive a visa -- there are hundreds of "candidates" each and every day in the Krakow and Warsaw embassy).

So it's not the Polish govt that refuses these visas? I don't understand why we would refuse them and at the same time ask for such a low percentage.

Do you see it decreasing since it may hold PL back?

I'm hoping that it happens before they decide to force us to have visas. It's so unfair.


Not yet. It had to be voted. i can't find too much information on it though. i have to keep looking. That's why i'm looking for news out of PL. I'd look at PL news websites but most I can't understand.

Wow I'm surprised to see no comments about this.

No, absolutely not. Issuing visas takes place in the US Embassies - which in fact are the US territory on the Polish soil. I think currently more and more Poles get visas though (compared to the years before 2000). Especially students have a good chance to get one. I think it's because Poland is now in the EU and for most people it's even more attractive to live/work in one of the EU countries than the US (not to mention the US dollar is weak so working in the US and coming back to Poland to live would not make much sense).

I can understand the US goverment is holding back to waive visas for Poles - they afraid other nations would want to be in the "program" too etc (especially the Mexicans). On the other hand, I think the Polish nation in any county makes this country even better -- Poles are well educated, easy adaptable and religious. They don't avoid paying taxes so for any goverment they are almost perfect citizens.

Last time a Pole won the AMERICAN Inventor award, which says a lot about the Polish nation.

Yeah man I'm all for it. I just don't see it as fair. my GF is trying to get a tourist Visa now. I hope it will be a little easier. I sent a letter and filled out a form with my financial status and responsibilities. Hope it works out well. Any suggestions to better her chances?

I know a person who directly called the US embassy (both in Poland and the US) to find out why the person didn't get a visa even though she was married with children and had good financial standing etc. In the end they issued her a tourist visa. But they were related - sisters. But I think that's not a bad idea...

Yeah, tell her to learn a few words in Spanish and then go to the Tex/Mex border... Just mix in with the others... no sweat!

Oh! BTW - Tell her to bring as many as she can with her... In fact hundreds of thousands would be very nice, all genders, all ages... You see, the Poles at least have something to offer a country, i.e., intelligence, good family morals and a boat load of ethics... Specifically speaking, they have what's known as work ethics too. That's something that's lost to this country... WORK ETHICS! A whole lot more too! Bring them and bring them quick before we turn this once great nation into a turd world welfare sucking, nation.

LOL I wish it was that easy.

Fisz
what happened with this? did your GF finally get a tourist visa?

No not yet. I'll be getting some help from a friend of the family who's an Immigration Officer though. Should be big help.

I'm asking because I'm working on it myself to get my BF over.
But,
I wasn't the one to send him the invitation, only my mother, because they will put the two and two together... Know what I mean?

I'm hoping that in a week or two I will know more about this. Because if this doesn't work, I might ask you some questions on how you're doing it.???????

OK????

No problem. Having Mom write it is a good idea.

responsibilities. Hope it works out well. Any suggestions to better her chances? Yeah man I'm all for it. I just don't see it as fair. my GF is trying to get a tourist Visa now. I hope it will be a little easier. I sent a letter and filled out a form with my financial status and

It should help- if you have good financial situation and offer to look after your girlfriend in USA.

I applied for visa about 7 years ago- I got 10 years touristic visa. I brough with me all paperwork showing that I was independent in Poland - my flat ovnership deed, confirmation from my work about slalary, bank statements. They are afraid that too many polish people will go to USA stay for longer work without paying taxes.

But it has changed now- it is better to look for legal work in Europe, and yes USD seems to be quite weak now.

That is very inspiring. I think the Americans see Polish citizens like these puppies, begging for milk, and they're just having fun showing who's in control. But the biggest problem is not the Polish citizens coming here, but the mexicans who illegally cross the borders. Some are really lazy, they bring drugs with them and form gangs. It is sad that they don't allow decent, hard working Polish citizens in, putting them in the same category as the illegal mexicans sworming the country.

Another problem especially here in Wisconsin is the influx of Laotian people. They get goverment support, free housing, they don't have to work, have 20 kids, form gangs, deal with drugs, guns and eat our pets.

And the goverment supports them.
No. Life is not fair.

krysia


LOL

Krysia,
Have you tried pet meat. It is great. It tastes like chichen. :)

Many Poles want to come to US. I understand that.
However, Poles have failed to see numerous opportunities unfolding in Poland, in EU member countries and countries that will became EU members.
Grass in NOT always greener on the other side.

Actually the biggest problem is the refusal percentage being 30% in Poland. We require a 3% in order to be eligible. I just hope that Poland is working on this.

"Poland" can't really work on it. As long as too many people that aren't eligible continue to apply anyways, it will be the same. And you can't make it against the law to apply.

That's very true. I can imagine how many people apply.

i would never begg for an american visa.this what you are(your government) doing with this poor silly people is disguisting.500 people are "served" in your embassy in just one day.first they have to phone your embassy and pay a huge amount of money for a call as it is some kind of 0700 number.then they have to pay a lot of money just for seeing an immigration officer for about 2 minutes(i don't know what the exact amount is).u wont get your money back if u don't get a visa.some of the decisions are ridiculous and you can't appeal.once u got the visa you can be returned from the airport in THE US just because some stupid immigration officer thinks it's right to do so.maybe cos he doesn't like your face or maybe cos his doughnuts were not to tasty 2day.that's why i never applied for the american visa and never will.there are a lot of different beautifull countries to go to

Begging is pathetic anyway. I'd hope not. I think it requires help from the US anyway. I just got hers for $500 through a friend of a friend who's an immigration officer(in the legal dept:) It worked out well.


Which is BS. Don't believe everything you hear.

Europe is the best

it is not.that was said on polish tv.the polish government was trying to organise cheks in poland but americans turned it down.having a visa doesn't guarrantee that you will enter the usa


you have just admitted that this system is wrong and corrupt

some times it's a case of not what you know but who you know....it's not nice but it happens everywhere - besides no office Fisz - I personally wouldnt want to visit let alone live in the USA and I'm sure there are a lot of europeans out there that have the same view.

I never said the system isn't corrupt. No system isn't. I don't agree with any of it. People living in countries especially in the EU should be able to cme here with just a passport like when I go there. Hopefully soo it'll be like that.

Why do you guys think I care if you want to come here anyway? I have nothing against you. Why do feel it's necessary to tell me that you and others have the sanme view? Who cares? There are many places I wouldn't want to live either.

i don't have anything against you too but i don't care if you care or you don't.i just express my opinion on that subject.american embassies make a great bussiness in poland and are supported by their government.treating people like a cattle doesn't match to the words said by your officals about"special relationship between 2 nations". i feel sorry for this people in waiting in a few kilometres queue,but it is their choice.i am not in it

I can respect that. If I was in your situation I'd probably feel the same.

i appreciate it.i bet u would feel the same.why americans don't go to cuba but u can see so many canadians there?it is such a beautiful country.annoying isn't it?everything because visas(the reasons are different of course).i would love to go to the usa(not live there though) cos i know it is a beautiful country but i am to proud to apply for the visa on current conditions.hope when it's changed we could meet in the pub drink a few bottles of budweiser:)

No doubt :) I'll have to skip out on the Bud though LOL :) I'm lucky enough to have a store that sells Zywiec close by.

I think you're lucky to be where you are though. A few hr flight and you can be anywhere in Europe. I'd travel all over if I was there. It must be nice to be able to fly to Paris for lunch, or spend an extended weekend in Greece. I'm jealous.

I don't blame you for not wanting to live here. We have no culture here. I love to experience different cultures abroad. The only dominating culture we have here is Spanish.

yes that's a big advantage i agree but as my passion is birwatching(birds with feathers!:)) it would be interesting to go one day to the new world and see a few of your total 1500 species of birds in america(compared to europes 650 species it is quite a lot)