I was reading about this on Wikipedia.

While almost all of European countries, Australia and some Asian countries had a visa waiver program with America
not a single African country is included or even been considered.

I think this to biased and a segregation thing

The facts,
It is not like Africans will travel to the US and stay there, only those with money travel.

with a visit structure like that people can arrive at the US, see that the grass is not as green and run back to their country knowing they can always travel back just to visit Disney.

But the current process of obtaining a visa which could take ages and high fees and a generally overwhelming experience make people to actually think that there most be something out of this world special to gain from the US that it might be what overstay to realize the dream hence becoming illegal.

Africans have contributed greatly to that country,

There are thousands of Medical doctors and nurse in the US that actually studied in Nigeria (After-all data shows most educated group of people in the US).

I hate it when they release rankings on top universities and before you can find an African university you will be counting 10,000 s.

Many businesses are operated by Ethiopians, Nigerians, Ghanaian, South African and people from many African countries in the US.

If Obama will do anything tangible for Africa it will be the inclusion at least 5 African Countries in the Waiver Program

Like South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Ethiopia and Kenya.

They could even leave out Nigeria as a business decision so they can continue making millions of dollars from Visa applications.

You have to understand that participating countries are not selected at random. Selection is based on criteria like national income, HD Index and level of development, so if a country doesn't meet the set standards and is not included in the program, that doesn't mean they are been segregated.

As for the universities rankings, the dearth of adequate and standard teaching facilities and equipment in universities across the country and continent, puts us in a weak position from the get go and by the time parameters like; academic peer review, global employer review, citations per faculty, international student ratio, international faculty ratio, faculty student ratio, etc are included in the ranking process, we'll be thrown to the far end.

^ you've raised some salient points. Meanwhile, rather than advocating for inclusion in the VWP, some advanced African countries like SA can leverage their position to operate a reciprocity visa regime such as Brasil. That is, if a citizen of SA requires a visa to travel to the US, the same must also apply to the citizen of the US wishing to visit SA.

you want them to have visa waiver for africa?

tpia@:
you want them to have visa waiver for africa?

Exactly!

With biometrics introduction , all countries should be visa free
but there must be cash surety for high risk travellers.

Kay-Dee:
You have to understand that participating countries are not selected at random. Selection is based on criteria like national income, HD Index and level of development, so if a country doesn't meet the set standards and is not included in the program, that doesn't mean they are been segregated.

As for the universities rankings, the dearth of adequate and standard teaching facilities and equipment in universities across the country and continent, puts us in a weak position from the get go and by the time parameters like; academic peer review, global employer review, citations per faculty, international student ratio, international faculty ratio, faculty student ratio, etc are included in the ranking process, we'll be thrown to the far end.

Read Wikipedia on this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Waiver_Program

New countries that joined the EU are lobbied for immediately they join the EU to be included.
Many countries were even struggling when they joined if you look at their inclusion dates.
More of recent Greece

If it is not biased at least 1 African country should have been on this program.

it is segregation and so what?
it is their policy whats your problem with it?
how is it your problem how USA regulate her Visa procedures
tell your govt to fix her economy first so people don't run out in droves

Kay-Dee:
You have to understand that participating countries are not selected at random. Selection is based on criteria like national income, HD Index and level of development, so if a country doesn't meet the set standards and is not included in the program, that doesn't mean they are been segregated.

As for the universities rankings, the dearth of adequate and standard teaching facilities and equipment in universities across the country and continent, puts us in a weak position from the get go and by the time parameters like; academic peer review, global employer review, citations per faculty, international student ratio, international faculty ratio, faculty student ratio, etc are included in the ranking process, we'll be thrown to the far end.

Your right, all these just affect but the common man who would not have enough bank balance and properties to prove his worth to the embassy staff.

NSNA:
Read Wikipedia on this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Waiver_Program

New countries that joined the EU are lobbied for immediately they join the EU to be included.
Many countries were even struggling when they joined if you look at their inclusion dates.
More of recent Greece
If it is not biased at least 1 African country should have been on this program.

If the US choose to accord the same privilege that Germany has, to Greece because they are both under the EU brolly, we cannot question their use of discretionary powers. AU can/can't do the same for African countries cos we're either static, sinking, or still not fully developed and you cannot force them to give you consideration out of discretion. If you consider their refusal to be 'bias', it's a valid opinion but I don't see it that way.

It will be nice to see some African countries get on that list though. If our do-nothing congress decides to resurrect Bush's dead bill on visa waiver, then we may see about 5 African countries come in; if not, life goes on, no whining.

Santino1: ^ you've raised some salient points. Meanwhile, rather than advocating for inclusion in the VWP, some advanced African countries like SA can leverage their position to operate a reciprocity visa regime such as Brasil. That is, if a citizen of SA requires a visa to travel to the US, the same must also apply to the citizen of the US wishing to visit SA.

Whatsup ?

Many countries in Africa and the AU are not playing their cards right.
South Africa for instance admits US citizens visa free, Americans want to go to the safari and see wild animals.
If they will say no, you have to pay $150 for visa and wait 5 months to get your answer waive us and we waive you, they would have a strong position.
Egypt too could use their Pyramid and artifacts tourism to get a scratch my back and i scratch yours position.
And Kenya,
and they could become a unifying force for the AU an lobby for other countries.
If you guys don't think it is biased then think it again.
The purpose of the waiver is to drive trade and growth.
Leave Africa in the dark ages is just not a good thing.

I know Nigerian guys that import USA cars in their millions of dollars every year that have never set foot in America. think what they will do if they had easy access.

Lol South African and Egyptian tourism depends on US tourist money. The ppl in the tourism industry will revolt if the govt makes hard for tourist to come to their country. I am sure Egyptian and South African govt are not stupid tptrrow away US money.

sabbath7th: Lol South African and Egyptian tourism depends on US tourist money. The ppl in the tourism industry will revolt if the govt makes hard for tourist to come to their country. I am sure Egyptian and South African govt are not stupid tptrrow away US money.

even still they have power of negotiation. Egypt and South Africa tourism are way important to the tourists.

Didn't Egypt survive without them during the Arab spring?

Make it had for US to travel with a high visa fee and 3 months waiting decision time and they will sit up

Kay-Dee:


Whatsup ?

I'm good boss. You??

@topic, the congress should revisit the Bush WVP bill soon abeg...atleast that would save us some $160 each time we wanna visit the States.

Santino1:

I'm good boss. You??

@topic, the congress should revisit the Bush WVP bill soon abeg...atleast that would save us some $160 each time we wanna visit the States.

bros !!!!!!!!!!!!

fredoooooo:

bros !!!!!!!!!!!!

My oga...long time. will PM you.

Oh oh oh thats true...
& I guess the Middle-east should also be part of the VWP too after Africa's been considered?
Yea rite... Mtchew

Actually surprised that Israel is not officially included.

I thought Israel is America in a way.