Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 61 Part 4.djvu/769

 BELGIUM-PASSPORT VISA FEES Mar. 27, Nov. 23, 1946 Jan. 17, Feb. 3, 1947 Alrrangerent between the United States of America and Belgium respect- zing passport visafees. Effected by exchanges of notes dated at Brussels f arch 27 and November 23, 1946, and January 17 and February 3, 1947; entered into force February 17, 1947. The American Embassy to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Commerce EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Consular Section 631 Shell Building No. -49 Brussels The American Embassy at Brussels presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, with reference to the Ministry's letter of January 31, 1946 (No. 2 2 02/pr/ETATs-UNIs), concerning a proposed reciprocal visa fee waiver agreement for non-immigrant travelers, has the honor to quote below a communication dated March 11, 1946, which has been received from the Department of State on the subject: "The Government of the United States is willing to grant gratis passport visas to qualified Belgian nationals who are bearers of valid Belgian passports and who are classifiable as bona fide nonim- migrants under the immigration laws of the United States, if the Belgian Government will waive passport visa fees for qualified non- immigrants proceeding to Belgian territory and bearing valid pass- ports issued by the Government of the United States. Such an arrangement must be concluded on a fully reciprocal basis in accord- ance with the provisions of the Act of Congress approved February 25, 1925, and the Executive Order of May 15, 1925, which stipulate that arrangements for the waiving or the reduction of passport visa fees shall be accomplished by an exchange of notes and that the con- cessions granted shall be similar. No arrangement may be con- cluded affecting the issuance of immigration visas or the fees therefor. "It is noted that the Belgian Government is prepared to waive passport visa fees in cases of applicants for visitor's visas but deo sires to limit the period of validity of such visas to a maximum of two months and good for several trips. "The normal period of validity of a temporary visitor's visa issued by the Government of the United State is twelvei monts, provided the applicant's passport is valid for that period. Such period of validity could not be modified generally and limited to a period of two months without excessive administrative difficulties. March 27, November 23, 1946, and Janu- ary 17, February 3, 1947 IT.I. A.S. 1879] 43 Stat. 978. 8U.8.0.I202(i). 61 STAT.] 4117

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