NON IMMIGRANT VISAS

Pre-Travel Authorization PROGRAM for U.S.-Bound Travelers from VISA WAIVER Countries
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a new online system that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  

Once ESTA is mandatory, all nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship.  ESTA will determine, almost immediately in many cases, if an individual is eligible for VWP travel, and if such travel poses any law enforcement or security risks. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first.  Authorizations will also be valid for multiple entries into the U.S.  To facilitate the authorization process, DHS recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins planning U.S.-bound travel, and not less than 72 hours prior to travel.

On Aug. 1, 2008, the department will begin to accept voluntary applications through the ESTA Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.  Until ESTA is mandatory for all VWP travelers, however, ESTA applicants will also still need to complete an I-94W form en-route, for presentation at a U.S. port of entry.  Mandatory ESTA use is forecast for January 2009. 

A list of Visa Waiver Countries and more information on the Visa Waiver Program can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#countries
Last fiscal year, the U.S. welcomed more than 15 million VWP visitors.  For more information about ESTA, please visit www.cbp.gov/travel.