New Travel Rules for USA
Did you know that if you are visiting the US from a country which does not need visas, you will now need to fill in an electronic form at least 72 hours before you travel?
Britain is one of the countries that signed up to the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa. However, as from 12 January 2009, new rules apply.
UK travellers to the US will require an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US. The new online registration scheme replaces the green I-94 forms that people on short term visits to the US had to fill in on the flight and hand to customs on arrival.
Those who have not registered risk being detained and sent back home.
Travellers can register for authorisation online through the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel.
Once an application is approved, it will be generally valid for all visits to the US for a two-year period, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
For more information, see also:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/esta_info.html
