U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today, June 17, 2008, the signing of an interim declaration which is the first step towards including Bulgaria in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). "The VWP has been authorized by U.S. law for over 20 years, with 27 current members from Asia and Europe. The U.S. Congress authorized DHS in August 2007 to reform the VWP and strengthen the security arrangements required of existing participant countries, as well as to expand the conditions for aspiring countries to join the program." http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1213717127852.shtm.
If Bulgaria eventually joins the other members of the VWP Bulgarian citizens will then be able to travel to the U.S. without a visa as long as the traveler produces a Bulgarian passport to Immigration. The VWP traveler is limited to a maximum stay of three months which cannot be extended.
