NOTICE 

DHS Announces Pre-Travel Authorization Program for U.S.-Bound Travelers from Visa Waiver Countries

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a new online system that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and is required by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. 

All nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship.

Effective November 17, 2008, nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic will be able to travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  They may travel to the United States without a visa for tourist and business travel of 90 days or less, provided they possess a biometric passport and register on-line through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).  Nationals of these countries are required to register through ESTA before beginning their travel. 

Citizens of countries previously eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) have until January 12, 2009 to begin using Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).  These countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

“Rather than relying on paper-based procedures, this system will leverage 21st  century electronic means to obtain basic information about who is traveling to the U.S.without a visa,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Getting this information in advance enables our frontline personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveler presents a threat, before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores. It is a relatively simple and effective way to strengthen our security, and that of international travelers, while helping to preserve an important program for key allies.”

As of January 12, 2009, all nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure will require an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.  VWP travelers who fail to obtain an ESTA travel authorization may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.

Travelers will log on to the ESTA web-based system via www.cbp.gov/esta and complete an application online.  ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.

Accompanied and unaccompanied children, regardless of age, will be required to obtain an independent ESTA authorization and determination of eligibility.

For additional information, please visit the U.S. Department of State website for international travelers, www.travel.state.gov and click on “Travel Without A Visa.”

ESTA will determine, almost immediately in many cases, if an individual is eligible for VWP travel, and if such travel poses any law enforcement or security risks. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first.  Authorizations will also be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. To facilitate the authorization process, DHS recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins planning U.S.-bound travel, and not less than 72 hours prior to travel.

Until ESTA is mandatory for all VWP travelers, however, ESTA applicants will also still need to complete an I-94W form en-route for presentation at a U.S. port of entry.

Last fiscal year, the U.S. welcomed more than 15 million VWP visitors.  For more information about ESTA, please visit www.cbp.gov/esta.