State Dept. to Require Visas of Commonwealth Nationals Residing in Canada
Currently, nationals of British Commonwealth countries, i.e., United
Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc.,who also reside in Canada as landed
immigrants (i.e., equivalent to U.S. Permanent Residents)are not required
to obtain visas & passports before entering the U.S. in nonimmigrant
visa clasifications. These qualifying individuals are accorded the same
privilege of being visa exempt as Canadian citizens.
However, it appears that the general move to increase security will eliminate
this convenience. Canadian citizens will still remain visa and passport
exempt until further notice.
June 19, 2002
DOS To End Visa Exemption for Commonwealth Citizens Residing in Canada
According to Antoinette Marwitz, the new U.S. Consul General in Toronto,
the State Department is planning to change its regulations at 22 CFR
41.2(b) to require "aliens resident in CanadaŠhaving a common nationality
with nationals of Canada" to obtain nonimmigrant visas to enter the United
States. These individuals, who are citizens of British Commonwealth countries,
are currently exempt from the nonimmigrant visa requirements, as well
as from passport requirements if they are entering the U.S. from a Western
Hemisphere country. Presumably, the passport exemption also would be
eliminated, as would the exemption for such nationals resident in Bermuda.
