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U.S. Visa Policy
Korea is one of the top five countries of origin for foreign visitors to the United States. Over 758,000 Korean business visitors, students, tourists and travelers came to the U.S. in 2006; in fact Korean students comprised the largest number of all foreign students studying in the United States that year. Korean tourists and travelers spent nearly $2.8 billion during their stay in the United States in 2006.
In 2007, Congress passed new security requirements for countries participating in the VWP and expanded the program's eligibility by allowing close U.S. allies with visa refusal rates of under 10 percent to be considered for inclusion, provided they meet these new requirements. Under these new rules, Korea will become eligible to participate in the VWP once it is in compliance with the new security measures included in the bill. Until recently, Korea had been ineligible for the program because Korean nationals had a U.S. visa application rejection rate above the 3 percent threshold required for program eligibility.
The U.S.-Korea Business Council is a strong advocate of Korea's entry into the VWP as soon as it meets the qualifications for inclusion. This is an issue with significant economic implications for the bilateral U.S.-Korea economic relationship. In addition, Koreans see Korea's inclusion in the VWP as an affirmation of the strong bilateral bonds between the United States and Korea. Inclusion of Korea in the VWP will help ensure that U.S. companies doing business in Korea do not lose out on commercial opportunities because of the time it takes for their customers and others to get a U.S. visa.