United States Plans New Online Travel Procedures for 27 Countries
(Implementation to take effect January 2009)
By Jonathan Schaffer
Washington -- Beginning January 12, 2009, travelers to the United States from 22 countries in Europe and five in the Asia-Pacific region currently exempt from certain U.S. visa requirements will be using a new online travel authorization process.
Under the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), all nationals, including children, from the 27 countries under the U.S. visa waiver program will be required to fill out an electronic travel authorization form posted on the Web (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/) prior to boarding a U.S.-bound plane or vessel.
Initially, there will be no fee to submit an application. It will require answering questions about criminal records, communicable diseases, past history of visa revocation or deportation, and basic biographical data such as name, birth date and passport information. Changes in address and itinerary can be easily made online after the ESTA form has been first submitted.
“Getting this information in advance enables our front-line personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveler presents a threat before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores,” Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said June 3. “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.”
Currently, travelers from these countries must fill out a paper form detailing their passport information, travel plans and intended length of stay when arriving on a carrier to the United States. In conjunction with the establishment of ESTA, the Department of Homeland Security is developing plans to phase out this form.
While U.S. authorities strongly recommend that the applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel, ESTA can accommodate last-minute and emergency travelers and travel authorization is good for two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever is first. However, if the traveler acquires a new passport or changes a name or other identifying biographical information, a new travel authorization would be required.
The countries currently included in the visa waiver program are Andorra, Austria, Australia, 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.
Other countries being considered for inclusion in the program at a later date include Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Malta and Korea.
The new process is intended to determine whether a traveler to the United States is a law enforcement or security risk. And U.S. officials warn that after ESTA becomes mandatory, travelers who have not received prior approval may be denied boarding, experience delays or be denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.
Also, ESTA is not a substitute for a visa and visas will still be required for certain travel from the visa waiver countries. It is principally for those individuals planning to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure. Individuals from those and other countries traveling under valid visas will not be required to apply through ESTA. And just like with visas, those traveling with an ESTA approval will still be required to go through pre-clearance facilities at U.S. ports of entry.
If an applicant is not approved for travel through ESTA, he or she would have to apply for travel through the normal visa process. And if a traveler previously had been refused admission or a visa to the United States, he or she would not be eligible for ESTA.
Around August 1, 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin to accept voluntary ESTA applications through the ESTA Web site: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. Initially, the Web site will be in English only, but other languages will be added by October 15. U.S. officials say that all answers to questions must be completed in English and that the applicant’s computer should be configured to include a suitable English font.
They also say that the latest technology is being used to prevent unauthorized access to the information entered.For more information on the ESTA, please go to www.cbp.gov/esta and http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
Non-Immigrant Visas
Visa Waiver Program
ESTA information and updates
