It can also be retaliation, which sort of makes sense—there’s a reason tit-for-tat is so successful. That being said, it’s generally very unfortunate that they’re being introduced, on all sides. I can sort of understand why countries would want to limit people from poor countries (which is not the same as agreeing with the reasoning). Enforcing visas for short term, touristy style visits doesn’t seem like a good idea however I look at it. As Zvi notes, it’s about the friction.
ESTA is very much a visa (I filled it out yesterday), but under a different name and purely electronic.
Oh, I agree. As a non-us person who will have to fill that additional friction is not welcome.
But the system was in the making for years, I remember discussing it with someone 4+ years ago. Which, again, points against “retaliation to the US” as a main explanation.
It can also be retaliation, which sort of makes sense—there’s a reason tit-for-tat is so successful. That being said, it’s generally very unfortunate that they’re being introduced, on all sides. I can sort of understand why countries would want to limit people from poor countries (which is not the same as agreeing with the reasoning). Enforcing visas for short term, touristy style visits doesn’t seem like a good idea however I look at it. As Zvi notes, it’s about the friction.
ESTA is very much a visa (I filled it out yesterday), but under a different name and purely electronic.
Oh, I agree. As a non-us person who will have to fill that additional friction is not welcome.
But the system was in the making for years, I remember discussing it with someone 4+ years ago. Which, again, points against “retaliation to the US” as a main explanation.