What We Know: New visa rules for some Europeans to visit US

Washington: The Obama administration is imposing new travel restrictions on certain Europeans who have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan in the past five years.

But it is exempting certain travellers from the new restrictions, and some Republicans in Congress aren’t happy about that. Key takeaways on the new visa waiver programme:

— A law already in place is designed to keep Europeans who have fought for the Islamic State group from entering the US by putting stricter limits on who can travel to the US without a visa.

— The administration on Thursday announced rules on how the law will be implemented. It said the restrictions may not apply to people in certain occupations who travel to the four nations for business.

— In general, Europeans who have been to the four nations will have to get visas before travelling to the US.

— But people who travelled to those countries as journalists, for official work with humanitarian agencies or on behalf of international organisations, regional organisations and provincial or local governments may still be eligible to visit the US without visas. Also, people who have travelled to Iran since July 14, 2015, or Iraq for “legitimate business-related purposes” may be allowed to come to the US without visas.

— Some Republicans in Congress complained the Obama administration was trying to circumvent the will of Congress.

— People who can’t visit the US without a visa can apply for one through the US. Embassy or consulate in their home country.