Q&A: Obama admin announces new rules for visa-free travel

President Barack Obama speaks to mayors from around the country, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. They visited the White House as part of the Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington this week. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Barack Obama speaks to mayors from around the country, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. They visited the White House as part of the Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington this week. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By Associated Press January 22, 2016 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is tightening travel restrictions on Europeans and others who have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan in the last five years. At the same time, officials say the new rules might not apply to travelers in certain occupations whose travels were for business.

Questions and answers about the visa-free travel program and the new rules:

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HOW CAN PEOPLE COME TO THE U.S. WITHOUT A VISA?

Under the Visa Waiver Program citizens of 38 countries, mostly in Europe, are generally allowed to visit the United States without applying for a visa. Before they travel they have to provide the U.S. government with biographic data, including information about what other passports they may have and details about their parents, using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA.