DHS Assistant Secretary Adam Hunter visits Bulgaria

Sofia: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Adam Hunter and U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten Tuesday met with Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov, and Minister of Interior Atanas Ilkov to discuss Bulgaria’s progress in meeting U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requirements.

Acting Assistant Secretary Hunter commended the tremendous progress Bulgaria continues to make and is encouraged by their commitment. He noted that work remains to be done to meet the program’s security and technical requirements and on further reducing the non-immigrant visa refusal rate to below the threshold required to be eligible for VWP. VWP criteria are a matter of U.S. law and cannot be modified or waived.

Acting Assistant Secretary Hunter reiterated that Bulgaria is an ally and valued partner of the United States whose entry into VWP would benefit both nations. He emphasized that the United States is eager to see Bulgaria join VWP once it meets all program requirements.

DHS and U.S. Embassy Sofia look forward to supporting the Bulgarian Government in their ongoing efforts to achieve VWP designation in the near future.