US to tighten visa restrictions for Europe, Japan

WASHINGTON: Travelers from Japan, Western Europe and certain other countries will soon face tighter visa restrictions for short-term travel to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security is expected to announce on Tuesday.

The new rules, to take effect in January, will require three days' advance registration for nationals of the 27 countries currently listed under the visa waiver program, according to media reports.

The US government says the change aims to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the United States from places such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.

"We're not asking for new information. We're just getting it earlier," a Homeland Security official was quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal.

Travelers may register with the US government beginning in August, and the information will remain valid for two years so that it is not necessary to repeat the same process in that time period, the report said.

The visa waiver program was created in 1986 "with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry," and allowing the government to "focus consular resources in other areas," according to the State Department website.