DHS To Accept Voluntary Electronic System for
Travel Authorization (ESTA)
Beginning August 1, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) will accept Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
applications on a voluntary basis. The ESTA program will become
mandatory for visa waiver program (http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#countries)
travelers in January 2009.
ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of
citizens from VWP countries to travel to the United States. Rather
than travel to the U.S. and face a possible finding of ineligibility
to enter the U.S. under VWP, VWP nationals will enter their
information online before traveling to the U.S. and will not be
allowed to board a transport to the U.S. without first receiving
clearance. If approved, the authorization will grant holders
multiple entries for a maximum of two years, or until the traveler’s
passport expires; whichever occurs first. Citizens from VWP
countries can then travel to the U.S. for a temporary period of 90
days without first obtaining a B1 or B2 visa stamp from a U.S.
consulate, as is the case under the current VWP. However, travelers
should be aware that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers
will continue to make admissibility determinations at the U.S. port
of entry, and will grant each entry for maximum of 90 days. ESTA
approval only grants authorization to board a carrier for travel; it
does not guarantee admission into the U.S. The General Accounting
Office (GAO) has recently reviewed this change to the VWP and has
warned that the result may be a large increase in the number of
nonimmigrants from VWP countries forced to obtain nonimmigrant visas
in order to travel to the U.S. due to VWP ineligibility. This will
result in increased processing times and backlogs at visa issuing
posts in these countries.
GT will continue to monitor this process and provide updates as they
become available.
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