Slovakia to put visa issue on the table, Volume 11, Number 7, February 21 - 27, 2005
I can understand Slovak frustration with US visa policy. But my experience was quite good. Out of 20 to 25 invitations that I sent during the last 15 years all visas except one were issued, and there was a good chance that even this one would have been granted if I had appealed to the US consul in Bratislava.
I believe that the US will cancel the visa requirement for Slovaks, and for Czechs, Hungarians and Poles, as soon as the percentage of visitors that overstay their visas is similar to Slovenian visitors. So it is really in the hands of Slovaks.
As most people know, the major problem is that almost all visitors who overstay (frequently for several years) are here working without permission and tax-free.
Every country, including Slovakia, has visa policies that try to minimize "undocumented" workers. I am under the impression that Slovakia has an even more strict visitor policy for Russians and Ukrainians and other Slavic countries.
I hope that the US will completely open their borders for all Slovaks of good will.
Stano Zobor,
USA
