Come and Go? How Temporary Visa Works Under U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreements with Arab countries

Citation: Bashar H. Malkawi (2010) Come and Go? How Temporary Visa Works Under U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreements with Arab countries. Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law (RSS)
Internet Archive Scholar (search for fulltext): Come and Go? How Temporary Visa Works Under U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreements with Arab countries
Tagged: Business (RSS)

Summary

The United States (U.S.) and Jordan launched negotiations for a free trade agreement in 2000.On October 24, 2000, the United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (US-JO FTA) was signed in a record time. The US-JO FTA was the first FTA to be concluded with an Arab country.

The purpose of this article is to examine in detail article 8 of the US-JO FTA which relates to entry of nationals of one party into the territory of the other. The article starts by providing a brief background of the negotiation and conclusion of the US-JO FTA. Then, the article analyzes in detail the specific provision related to temporary entry of nationals. The article draws a comparison between US-JO FTA with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the more recent trade agreements between the U.S., Oman, Bahrain, and Morocco. Finally, the article observes that although the US-JO FTA, like all US FTAs, is designed to permit temporary entry, without intent to establish permanent residence, of persons, the U.S. should have provided Jordan with special and differential treatment for entry of its nationals. Taking into account the special circumstances of Jordan as a developing country with low-income status, high unemployment rate, and lack of resources, movement of business visitors, investors, intra-company transferees, and professionals should have been dealt with leniency so that the FTA could generate effective and real market access.