EU Negotiates New Security Pact to Preserve US Visa Waiver Travel

The United States introduced new Enhanced Border Security Partnership requirements in 2022 for Visa Waiver Program countries. These new rules, expected by the end of 2026, mandate expanded information sharing, including biometric data, between participating nations and the US Department of Homeland Security. While the change does not directly affect the ESTA application, it impacts the framework allowing visa-free travel for nationals of the 42 VWP countries. The European Union aims to establish a common legal framework that allows member states to meet US demands while upholding EU data protection laws. This EU-level agreement will then enable individual EU countries to sign bilateral agreements with Washington. Failure to comply by the deadline could jeopardise a country's continued inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program. The agreement seeks to ensure exchanges are reciprocal, limited to border control, visa, and electronic travel authorisation purposes.