Joined: 22 Apr 2007
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| Thanks Bex, below is what I wanted to post. Thanks for your help.
Title: ESTA - New requirements for entering the USA from Jan '09
Info below from US Customs and Border Protection website.
Effective January 12, 2009, all VWP travellers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP.
Log onto the ESTA Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and complete an on-line application in English. Travelers are encouraged to apply early. The web-based system will prompt you to answer basic biographical and eligibility questions typically requested on a paper I-94W form.
Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.
An approved travel authorization via ESTA is:
• Required for all VWP travelers prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP beginning January 12, 2009;
• Valid, unless revoked, for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
• Valid for multiple entries into the U.S. As future trips are planned, or if an applicant’s destination addresses or itineraries change after their authorization has been approved, they may easily update that information through the ESTA Web site; and
• Not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP. (For additional information, please visit “For International Visitors” at www.CBP.gov/travel.)
I've only just found out about this and thought that there may be others out there planning their hols for next year, who might need to know.
(Of course, you might all know this already and it's just that I'm the last to find out! LOL)
I have read elsewhere that in future you might not be allowed to book flights to the US until you have this authorisation.
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