US tightens entry rules for travellers from Europe, Japan

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WASHINGTON, June 4 (AFP): Travellers from Japan and Western Europe will face tighter restrictions on coming to the United States beginning in January, according to new rules unveiled Tuesday by the US government.

Tourists and business travellers from the 27 countries currently listed under the visa waiver programme will have to register with the US government three days in advance, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The new rules aim to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the United States from places such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and Australia, the government said.