Visa Waiver Program for Florida

New Regulations for entry to the USA

In June 2008, the US Department of Homeland Security announced some upcoming changes to the current visa waiver program; a pre-travel authorisation process for visitors from visa waiver program countries, known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

From August 2008 visitors to the USA from visa waiver countries who do not hold a valid visa will be able to register online before making their trip to the USA. This registration will effectively replace the green I-94W form that visa waiver visitors have to fill in on the plane or boat before landing in the US.

When the scheme is introduced it will be voluntary but it will become mandatory from January 20, 2010. Last year, some 15 million people entered the USA under the visa waiver program.

The electronic registration will be valid for a period of up to two years or until you change your passport, which ever occurs first.

This means one approval application will be valid for multiple entries. There is the ability to update your details so it should be possible to make an application once you have decided on a trip and then update the application when your travel arrangements are confirmed.

If you then make another trip, it should be possible to update your application with your new travel details, address, flight number etc.

Note that during the interim voluntary period, visitors will still need to complete an I-94W, even if they register online.

The ESTA does not guarantee admittance to the USA, it is merely an approval to board the plane or ship before departing for the USA. You will still need to go through the normal immigration controls on arrival but in theory it will speed things up.

If your ESTA is denied, you will need to apply for a visa through a US Embassy. Children of all ages will need to obtain an ESTA and a third party will be able to apply on their behalf.

If you hold a valid visa, then you do not need to apply for an ESTA. ESTA is also not applicable for land crossings; e.g. from Canada or Mexico by road.

Online registrations should be made not less than 72 hours prior to travel at the ESTA web site.

The following countries are currently in the visa waiver program:

Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.