IMPORTANT NEW PROCEDURES FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO THE USA
UNDER THE VISA WAIVER SCHEME

 The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced that passengers planning to enter under the Visa Waiver Scheme will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorisation prior to boarding a flight.  The system of authorisation will be called ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and will be available on a voluntary basis from 1 August 2008 and become mandatory from 12 January 2009.

Main features of these arrangements are as follows –

Application can be made online from 1 August at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Information required will include the following –

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Passport information
• Flight Number (which we understand can be added at a later date)
• Destination address (which we understand can be added at a later date)
• Communicable diseases
• Arrests and convictions
• Past visa history

Result of application will be 1) Authorised or 2) Pending (response available within 72hrs) or 3) Not Authorised (in which case the applicant will need to apply for a US Visa, which can be a lengthy procedure).

Once an application is approved, it is valid for 2 years or until the expiry date of the applicant’s passport, whichever is sooner.

Full details about ESTA can be found at
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1212498186436.shtm

Since authorisation could take up to 72hrs, The Travel Professionals strongly recommends that any passengers who might conceivably need to travel to the USA obtain their ESTA without delay.