Cabinet wants to continue US visa waiver deal
A programme enabling Swiss citizens to travel to the United States without a visa is should be continued, the government believes.
The cabinet has decided to open negotiations with Washington aimed at extending the accord while respecting new security requirements – including the automatic exchange of DNA and fingerprints as well as data on suspected terrorists.
The foreign ministry said the data protection aspects would be taken into account and parliamentary committees and cantons would be consulted before granting the mandate for the negotiations.
Switzerland joined the visa waiver programme in 1986. It allows visa-free visits to the US for tourism or for business for up to 90 days.
Every year about 340,000 Swiss citizens benefit from the accord.
In 2009, the US Congress decided to adapt the legal basis for visa waiver cooperation for third countries.
Most of the 36 countries participating in the programme have agreed to comply with the new regulations, according to the US authorities.
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