Business Travel Tips

A new program, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), was launched for travelers coming to the U.S. from the 27 countries currently listed under the visa waiver program. Under this program, which will be effective starting January 2009, passengers will have to register with the US government no later than 72 hours before departure.

The new rules aim to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the United States from Western Europe, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
“Getting this information in advance enables our frontline personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveler presents a threat, before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores” the Department of Homeland Security said.
The government will ask for the same information — such as passport number, country of residence, disclosure of communicable diseases, that travelers currently fill out on the I-94 card which is handed out on the plane and turned in to customs on arrival in the United States.

Travelers may register with the US government beginning in August, and the information will remain valid for two years so that it is not necessary to repeat the same process in that time period.

They may apply for an ESTA authorization on the Internet at a US government website — https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ , which will accept applications beginning August 1.

Anyway, as beginning January 2009, travelers will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a US-bound airplane, Department of Homeland Security suggest them to seek an ESTA approval as soon as they start planning a US trip, and no later than 72 hours before departure.