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Monday, March 28, 2016 
Foreign Ministry commemorated two years of the implementation of the Visa Waiver Program with the United States
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On Monday, the second anniversary of the incorporation of Chile to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) was commemorated. The ceremony was chaired by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Alfredo Labbé; the Director General of Consular Affairs, Alejandro Marisio; and the Ambassador of the United States to Chile, Mike Hammer. "The exchange between the countries is becoming more intense, richer and it brings more promises and better possibilities of progress for us," explained the Ambassador Alfredo Labbé.

During the activity, the authorities highlighted the excellent results the program has had two years after its implementation. Underlining that it has not only strengthened the bonds between both countries and their people but it also has boosted the economies of Chile and the United States, particularly by causing an increase in tourism.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the tourism industry, businesspeople and diplomatic offices accredited in Chile. The country entered the VWP in March 2014 and it is the only nation in Latin America that is part of the Program out of 38 designated countries. The VWP allows Chilean citizens to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days, without having to obtain a visa.

Notable numbers

The Program allows Chileans to travel to the United States for tourism or business, or while in transit only with their electronic passport and an electronic travel authorization, called ESTA, which is valid for two years and allows travelers to stay in the United States for up to 90 days after each entry. The fee is US$14, while the traditional visa is US$160.

Since our country entered the Program in March 2014, more than 300,000 Chileans have traveled to the United States. In 2015, 25 percent more Chileans traveled to the US as compared to 2014, reaching the historic level of over 350,000 visitors. In 2015, approximately 220,000 Americans traveled to Chile for tourism or business purposes. This represents a 15 percent increase over the previous year.