VWP Designated Countries List To Be Updated on Website, No Longer Announced in Federal Register

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule on December 27, 2024, that updates the agency’s practice for notifying the public of countries designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP’s list currently includes 42 countries.

The final rule:

• Amends the definition of “designated country” by referring to countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated for VWP participation and noting that a list of such countries is available on the public-facing DHS VWP website.
• Does not alter which countries have been designated for the VWP or the criteria for initial and continued designation as a program country.

DHS will no longer publish a separate technical amendment in the Federal Register for each new country designation. DHS said the changes will allow the agency “to update designations more efficiently and expeditiously.”