LIMA,PERÚ-ABRIL 28. Embajador de los Estados Unidos, Brian Nichols visita la Casa Ronald McDonald Foto: ANDINA/Norman Córdova
U.S. Ambassador to Lima, Brian Nichols, today reaffirmed his government’s intention to exempt Peruvian citizens from the visa requirement to enter U.S. territory and indicated the emission of biometric passports by Peru will be the starting point.
“We are always willing to move forward on this issue, the ball is on the Peruvian field to start emitting the biometric passport,” he affirmed.
Upon completing this first step, the diplomat explained, three other requirements will be laid down including an agreement on information exchange, and the presence of air marshals in flights.
The last step is to raise the U.S. Consulate visa acceptance rate to over 90%, which currently ranges between 85% and 87%.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the biometric passports will be ready in November this year, as part of an agreement signed by Peru to complete the Schengen visa exemption process for Peruvians wishing to travel to European Union countries.
On the sidelines of the World Oceans Day, 8 June, Ambassador Nichols took part in a clean-up day along the Lima beach area, organized by the local municipality and a NGO.
(END) EGZ/ASH/RMB/MVB
Published: 6/9/2015