Please Note: This news story has expired and is held in our business travel news archive. The story is shown here for information purposes only. Please click here to view our current news releases.
ESTA becomes compulsory for all USA visitors
15th January 2010 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)British passport holders wanting to visit the US will have to receive approval to travel in advance from the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) as of Wednesday January 20.
Although the scheme was introduced in January last year it wasn’t compulsory until now.
Effective January 20, 2010, all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) prior to check in for travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. Children and infants must have their own ESTA.
Travelers without an ESTA will not be issued with a boarding pass nor clear passport/visa checks and therefore will NOT be allowed to travel.
Travelers should apply for an ESTA online through the following U.S. government Web site https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States and a third party, such as a travel agent, will be permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveler. VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States, and no later than 72 hours before departure. In most cases a response will be received within seconds determining whether travel to the US has been authorized however, in some instances customers will need to wait up to 72 hours for authorization. If the application is not authorized then a visa may be requested through the US Embassy.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is currently accessible via Internet for citizens and eligible nationals of VWP countries to voluntarily apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP.
Please visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for more information or to apply for an ESTA.
Share Story
