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The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) expired at midnight on the evening of April 30, 2000/morning of May 1, 2000. With the statutory expiration of the VWPP, the Immigration and Naturalization Service began paroling into the United States for up to 90 days, under terms and conditions almost identical to those required under the VWPP, those travelers who otherwise would have been eligible for entry under the VWPP. These measures were undertaken in order to avoid substantial disruption to international travel and commerce.

A parolee is defined as an alien, appearing to be inadmissible to the inspecting officer (e.g., lack of a valid visa), allowed into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or when that alien's entry is determined to be for significant public benefit. Parole does not constitute a formal admission to the United States and confers temporary status only, requiring parolees to leave when the conditions supporting their parole cease to exist. Therefore, parolees are not classified as tourists or visitors for business or pleasure.

On October 30, 2000, the Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act made permanent the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. On October 31, 2000, the Immigration and Naturalization Service resumed admitting visitors for business as WBs and visitors for pleasure as WTs. The permanent program permits nationals from participating countries to apply for admission to the United States for ninety (90) days or less as visitors for business or pleasure without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa.