Introducing the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation
On 1st August 2008, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), a new requirement for travel to the United States as part of the Visa Waiver Program.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is administered by DHS and enables citizens and eligible nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism and business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Additional information regarding the VWP and ESTA is available at www.cbp.gov/esta
Beginning 1st August 2008, ESTA applications will be available online for advance authorisation to travel to the United States under the VWP. Completion of this process will be on a voluntary basis until the effective date.
Effective 12th January 2009, all VWP customers traveling to the United States will be required to hold ESTA approval prior to boarding a flight to the United States.
To apply for authorisation to travel to the United States travellers may go to the ESTA web-based system and complete an application.
ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States and VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorisation as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States. There is no cost to apply.
In most cases, ESTA will provide an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel under the VWP.
An approved ESTA travel authorisation is:
- valid for up to two years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
- valid for multiple entries into the United States; and
- not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorises a traveller to board a carrier for travel to the United States under the VWP.
View ESTA process (Pdf 266 kb)
