Korea, U.S. to Sign Non-Visa Agreement

President Lee Myung-bak is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States that will allow Korea to join the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) when he visits Washington D.C. April 15-19.

The MOU and following implementation agreements will enable Korea to officially enter the VWP within this year. Koreans then will be able to enter the United States with just their passports for a short-term stay of less than three months without a visa.

However, for long-term visits of more than three months or with non-travel purposes, Koreans should have a pertinent U.S. visa.

President Lee is also likely to be the first Korean to use an electronic passport on his visit to the United States. The government has been pushing for the issuance of electronic passports to replace current ones, as part of the preparation for the VWP.