USEFUL INFORMATION
Press Release
A MESSAGE FROM U.S. AMBASSADOR ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM
January 7, 2009
Beginning January 12, 2009, all travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must obtain authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to initiating travel to the United States. Travelers who have not received an approved travel authorization may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at a U.S. port of entry. Eligible visitors should apply for travel authorization via the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) ESTA Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. DHS does not charge a fee for ESTA authorization.
ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. In their ESTA applications, travelers must provide (in English) biographical data including name, birth date, and passport information, as well as travel information such as the flight number and destination address in the United States. Travelers are also required to answer VWP eligibility questions. 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. In rare cases, an ESTA application may be denied, in which case the traveler will be directed to DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) website. A traveler may also reapply through ESTA after a period of ten days. If the ESTA application is still not approved, the traveler will be required to apply for a nonimmigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy.
While a third party, such as a relative or travel agent, is permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveler, VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third parties have established Web sites that charge travelers for information about ESTA and for submitting ESTA applications on behalf travelers. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. The United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through the ESTA Web site. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA will not expedite the granting of approval.
The citizens or nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel and, once approved, are valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations are valid for multiple entries into the United States. 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. The ESTA application Web site is available in 16 languages and includes a help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to guide them through the application process. Additional information about ESTA may be found at http://www.cbp.gov/esta. For more information about visa application procedures, please visit http://brunei.usembassy.gov