In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks on Paris, the United States on Monday announced changes to its Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to screen travellers from 38 countries who are allowed to enter the U.S. without obtaining a visa.

The VWP allows visa free travel for 20 million visitors per year to the U.S. for citizens of 38 program partner countries around the world. 

The White House announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will immediately take steps to alter its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications to get information from VWP travelers regarding any past travel to countries, which America considers to be a “terrorist safe haven.”

Moreover, the use of biometrics (fingerprints and/or photographs) in the VWP is also being considered to effectively increase security. The press release also said that the Secretary of Homeland Security will work with Congress to seek authority to increase Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) fines from $5,000 to $50,000 for air carriers that fail to verify a traveler’s passport data.

"These changes will, among other measures, improve our ability to identify individuals who may have travelled to conflict zones, enhance our ability to thwart terrorist attempts to travel on lost or stolen passports, and will facilitate increased information-sharing with our European partners," White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest told reporters in Paris after the announcement in this regard was made by here.

The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation will evaluate the terrorism information sharing that occurs between the United States and VWP countries, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, and provide a report to the President within 60 days identifying options to mitigate any deficiencies.