Poles’ chances of entering the United States without a visa have receded.

According to the US State Department, American consulates in Warsaw and Kraków last year rejected 5.9% of visa applications submitted by Poles, more than in 2016.

The figure for last year is almost twice the 3% threshold set by the US for countries that want to be part of its Visa Waiver Program.

The visa refusal rate for Poland in 2016 was 5.37%, the lowest ever.

The Visa Waiver Program allows most citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa if they meet a list of requirements, such as having an e-passport with an embedded electronic chip.

(pk/gs)

Source: IAR