Online Security for Visas?

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Irish Voice News

Online Security for Visas?

January 23, 2008

By April Drew

IRISH passengers traveling to the U.S. may have to register online before leaving Ireland to give the Department of Homeland Security more time to check their identity.

Early last week, Homeland Security boss Michael Chertoff announced that the U.S. was gearing up for a change to the security measures in the visa waiver program. Currently Irish and European passengers do not need a visa to enter the country.

However, according to Chertoff it won’t be long before passengers will be required to register online to allow Homeland Security to check their identity before departure. A criminal background check will then be run.

The visa waiver program, which means passengers are not screened fully before they arrive in the U.S., will continue.

“To date we have only had a small window of opportunity in which to check passengers out,” said Chertoff.

“What we are trying to do is find a way to better vet people coming in from Europe, without impeding the flow of travel or trade, which has been a very important part of our economy,” he added.

On the back of Chertoff’s announcement, EU Security Commissioner Franco Frattini also proposed a new entry-exit system in Europe, which would allow a better tracking of who is entering the EU.

Although the Irish government are waiting on further details outlining the proposed plan, they have agreed to look into whatever measures need to be taken to secure European countries including Ireland.

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