United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2008-05-22 monographic deposited born digital 58 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-623 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623 P0b002ee18039164c f:d08623 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623 GAO-08-623 Cost analysis Embassies Employee transfers Employees Facility construction Federal facilities Fees Foreign governments Homeland security Human capital planning Internal controls International cooperation International relations International travel Personnel management Program evaluation Program management Security threats Staff utilization Terrorism Travel Visas Waivers Cost estimates Program costs Program implementation Visa Waiver Program Other Written Product A82186 Under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), citizens from 27 countries can travel to the United States visa free. Terrorism concerns involving VWP country citizens have led some to suggest eliminating or suspending the program, while the executive branch is considering adding countries to it. Legislation passed in 2007 led the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), to screen VWP country citizens before they travel to the United States; if found ineligible, travelers will need to apply for a visa. GAO reviewed how (1) program elimination or suspension, (2) program expansion, and (3) ESTA could affect visa demand, resource needs, and revenues. We collected traveler, staffing, facilities, and cost data from the Department of State (State), DHS, and embassy officials and developed estimates related to the three scenarios above. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623.pdf GAO-08-623 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-623 Other Written Product GAO-08-623; Border Security: State Department Should Plan for Potentially Significant Staffing and Facilities Shortfalls Caused by Changes in the Visa Waiver Program; Cost analysis Embassies Employee transfers Employees Facility construction Federal facilities Fees Foreign governments Homeland security Human capital planning Internal controls International cooperation International relations International travel Personnel management Program evaluation Program management Security threats Staff utilization Terrorism Travel Visas Waivers Cost estimates Program costs Program implementation Visa Waiver Program Volume 100 Page 3359 100 Stat. 3359 Volume 114 Page 1637 114 Stat. 1637 Volume 121 Page 266 121 Stat. 266 Public Law 99-603 Public Law 106-396 Public Law 110-53