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Canadian Landed Immigrants

R 010248Z FEB 03
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
AMEMBASSY KABUL
AMEMBASSY CARACAS
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE

UNCLAS STATE 029504

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS
SUBJECT: CANADIAN LANDED IMMIGRANTS

1. SUMMARY: The Department (in conjunction with the BCIS)
will be publishing a Federal Register rule on January 31,
2003. The rule amends the Department of State''s regulation
that currently allows certain permanent residents of Canada
and Bermuda who share a common nationality with nationals
of Canada or with British subjects in Bermuda to enter the
United States without a passport or visa.

2. As posts are probably aware, under current regulations
Canadian permanent residents who have a common nationality
with Canadians, British subjects in Bermuda, and aliens who
have a common nationality with such subjects do not require
passports and visas when entering the United States. This
waiver also includes citizens of Commonwealth countries, as
well as citizens of Ireland. The new regulation will
remove this benefit and will require these aliens to
present a valid passport and a visa when seeking to enter
the United States. An exception to the rule, are aliens
entering under the Visa Waiver Program who will require a
valid passport but not a visa.

3. A list of the Commonwealth countries can be found at 9
FAM 41.2. Exhibit I.

POWELL

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