WASHINGTON - US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced Tuesday the decision to add China's Taiwan to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

According to her, starting Nov 1, eligible tourists from Taiwan will be allowed to enter and stay in the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.

The island became the latest member of the VWP, joining 36 others in the list. In fiscal year 2011, the VWP accounted for 18.3 million visitors to the United States, or more than 60 percent of tourist and business travelers entering the country.