William Penn Life, 2008 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2008-05-01 / 5. szám

Magyar Matters

United States, Hungary take another step toward lifting visa requirements

from The Budapest Sun WASHINGTON - The lifting of the U.S. visa requirements for Hungarian citizens is within arm's reach, as U.S. Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff and Hungary's Ambassador to the U.S. Ferenc Somogyi signed a memorandum March 14.

According to Márta Fekszi Horváth, Hungary's Foreign Ministry state secretary, the document is to be submitted to the U.S. Congress for approval, and the two governments are to hold talks in Budapest in the upcoming weeks.

"The first Hungarians traveling without a U.S. visa may arrive by the end of this year," Chertoff told the Hungarian daily Népszabadság.

Before that can happen, the United States and Hungary still need to sign agreements on several areas of

security cooperation.

Hungary's membership in the Visa Waiver Program will also be contingent upon the refusal rate for Hungarian citizens applying for visitor's visas in the U.S. That rate must not exceed 10 percent. The rate for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30,2007, was 10.3 percent, but U.S. officials say that past and current trends give them good grounds for hoping that this requirement may be met this year.

The Visa Waiver Program will allow individuals planning to stay in the United States less than 90 days to enter the U.S. without a visa. Those coming to work, study or visit for a long period will still need a visa.

Canada has also recently announced that it is lifting its visa requirements for Hungarian citizens entering that country.

WILLIAM PENN ASSOCIATION

Hungary Tour 2008

RESERVATION FORM

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Send this form, along with your deposit of $650 per person, made payable to “William Penn Association” to: Hungary Tour, William Penn Association 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

In Brief

Seats still available for WPA tour to Land of the Magyars

PITTSBURGH - The WPA is accepting reservations for its tour to Hungary, Sept. 18 to Oct. I. Discover the treasures of northern Hungary and the Great Plains.

Visit Nagyvárad, Transylvania, and beautiful Budapest. Experience the history, culture, food and spa facilities of Hungary. The cost for the trip is $2,875, plus travel insurance. To reserve your seat, please complete the reservation form on this page, and send it to the address shown, along with your deposit of $650 per person. For more information about the tour, call Endre Csornán at 1-800- 848-7366, ext. 136.

Collegium to offer studies in Hungarian language and culture

PITTSBURGH - The American Hungarian Collegium will convene its first-ever summer university for a week of university-level study in Hungarian language and culture Aug. 16 to 23 at Penn Scenic View.

Courses to be offered will cover topics such as Hungarian language, society, culture, folklore and cinema as well as contemporary Hungarian politics, emigration and the problems of Hungarian ethnic minorities.

The participation fee is $350 per person, which includes room and board for the week.

For a list of professors scheduled to participate in this program and additional information, please visit the website of the American Hungarian Collegium at www.AmHunCol.com.

William Penn Life, May 2008

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