Press Releases

U.S. Government Announces New Visa Waiver Program Procedure Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

July 29, 2008

The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a new Visa Waiver Program (VWP) procedure effective August 1, 2008.  Beginning August 1, 2008, the system will be available on a volunteer basis and will become mandatory on January 12, 2009.

The Department of Homeland Security will use ESTA to determine the eligibility of all countries on the Visa Waiver Program to visit the United States. All foreign nationals traveling to the U.S., under the VWP program, even if their point of origin is not a VWP country, will be required to obtain an ESTA authorization. Travelers cannot submit ESTA applications at a U.S. port of entry or a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A travel reservation must be confirmed prior to obtaining ESTA authorization. DHS recommends that an ESTA approval be obtained as soon as a VWP traveler begins to plan a trip to the United States, and no later than 72 hours before departure. VWP who have not received ESTA approval may be denied boarding; experience delayed processing, or is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.

Countries currently enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program include:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Additional information on ESTA can be found on the internet at: www.cbp.gov/esta