New VISIT System

[jnwong]

Is the new VIST system applicable to green card holders or just foreign visitors only? Can someone attach the link to justify your answer?

Thank you.

[ceejay]

Does it apply for the one entering US through AP?

[sadiq]

In addition citizens of all but 28 countries (mostly Western Europre, Japan, Singapore) will be photographed and fingerprinted on arrival. The entire process takes 1 minute per person. I heard this on NPR this morning (Tom Ridge making some dumb speech about how this would help our national security; all it'll do is ensure the bad guys come from the exempt nations, but that's a discussion for another forum).

rgds,
sadiq

[brb2]

Annecdotal reports indicate that certain citizens of exempt nations are being sent for secondary inspection and finger printed - Primarily young muslim men from these countries. I think in the long term the current system will help keep out terrorists. With over 23 million visitors to the US each year something like the current system is very much required. The fingerprinting applies to anyone from the exempt nation applying for a visa for over 90 days such as a student or longterm business visa.

Originally posted by sadiq
In addition citizens of all but 28 countries (mostly Western Europre, Japan, Singapore) will be photographed and fingerprinted on arrival. The entire process takes 1 minute per person. I heard this on NPR this morning (Tom Ridge making some dumb speech about how this would help our national security; all it'll do is ensure the bad guys come from the exempt nations, but that's a discussion for another forum).

rgds,
sadiq

[ceejay]

Does this system check against the whole criminal database or terrorist databse only? I have a misdemeanor conviction, which I am worrying would create problems at POE. Any sharing of ideas/experience is appreciated.

Thanks