Poles will go to the USA without a visa … for 90 days

He did not fly to Poland, Poland flew to him. But at least this one autumn weekend gave us some excitement. US President Donald Trump announced today (October 4, 2019) that he has signed a document integrating Poland into the visa-free regime. It is true that there is still some formalities and time to make it all sound as it should, but today the headlines in the press have gone crazy, among them the most important: “USA without visas.”

What does this mean in practice? For me, a young man who sees the heading “USA without a visa” one association comes to mind – I will be able to go to the USA without a visa and work legally. Well no. Nobody’s so good. The inclusion of Poland in the Visa Waiver Program means that we will be able to travel to the United States without a visa for tourist and business purposes for a maximum of 90 days. The only condition that will have to be met is registration in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. I wrote that no one is so good, because in terms of clarification, it is worth noting that to work in the US legally you always have to apply for a visa. And no matter if you are British, German or Russian. Nothing changes in this matter.

It is also worth mentioning that students who choose the Work & Travel program also still have to apply for a J-1 visa. Just like those who go to the United States to take, for example, apprenticeships (visas M-1, M-2) or study at school or university (visas F-1, F-2).

Kuba Kucharski