Lack of Visa Waiver Program Participation Affects U.S.-Czech Relations

After years of enjoying a free, democratic society, NATO and European Union (EU) membership, and countless positive changes, Czechs are still subjected to a lengthy, costly, and humiliating visa procedure for U.S. travel, while Americans travel visa-free to the Czech Republic.

This asymmetrical visa barrier for Czech citizens creates the following adverse conditions:

Reduces U.S.-Czech economic and business opportunities, student exchanges, tourism, and regular people-to-people contacts
Affects U.S.-Czech bilateral relations and creates negative public opinion and anti-Americanism
Negatively impacts the common fight against terrorism and the international security framework
The Czech Republic is politically qualified to participate in the Visa Waiver for the following reasons:
The Czech Republic is developed and politically stable, a member of NATO and the European Union (EU).
The Czech Republic is a dependable ally of the United States fully cooperating in the fight against terrorism.
The Czech Republic has been actively involved in operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and in other international trouble spots since their beginning.
The Czech Republic helps spread democracy and promote respect for human rights worldwide.
Czech citizens enjoy all opportunities afforded by EU enlargement, including an expanded labor market and rewarding work opportunities close to home.
The Czech Republic’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the world.
The Czech Republic’s legal system is compatible with other EU states. Czech immigration policies, border protection, passport issuance security, and other security practices are fully comparable to all EU countries.