US introducing tighter travel restrictions on Asia
Updated
![The US says tourists and business travellers from some countries under the visa waiver program will now have to register three days in advance. [Supplied]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/us_visa_supplied.jpg "The US says tourists and business travellers from some countries under the visa waiver program will now have to register three days in advance. [Supplied]")
The US says tourists and business travellers from some countries under the visa waiver program will now have to register three days in advance. [Supplied]
Travellers from Asia and Western Europe will face tighter restrictions on coming to the United States beginning in January.
The government says the new rules aim to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the United States from places such as France, Britain, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
The US Department of Homeland Security says tourists and business travellers from 27 countries currently listed under the visa waiver program will have to register with the US government three days in advance.
At the moment vistors do not have to provide any personal information until they fill out the relvant forms on the plane.
The US homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, says the move is aimed at making it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter America.
"Recent intelligence has underscored the fact that al-Qaeda and similar extremists are attempting to recruit operatives who blend in to western society," he said.
Critics have raised concerns about the possibility of reduced tourism and difficulties with last minute business travel.
