New visa requirements - USA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Visa Waiver Scheme)
**IMPORTANT New USA Immigration Regulations from 12 January 2009 - Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)**
From 12th January 2009 all nationals or citizens participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), including British Citizens, who plan to travel to the USA for temporary business or pleasure, will require an approved ESTA prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the USA under the VWP.
WEXAS recommends that an ESTA approval be obtained prior to ticket purchase and no later than 72 hours before departure.
To apply for authorisation to travel to the USA under the VWP and for further information, travellers must log on to the ESTA website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and complete an application online.
Information on which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Programme and important information on Passport requirements is also available on the ESTA website.
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 USA
- valid for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa
If any details of your passport change within the validity of your ESTA it is your responsibility to update this information on the ESTA website.
Travellers who have not received an ESTA approval post 12 January 2009 may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the U.S port of entry. Please note that an ESTA does not guarantee admission to the USA at a port of entry, it authorises a traveller to board a carrier for travel to the USA under the VWP. For additional information, please visit `Know before you go` at www.CBP.gov/travel.
If an ESTA application is denied application for a non immigrant visa at a U.S Embassy or Consulate will be required. For more about the visa application procedures including transiting in the USA please visit : www.travel.state.gov
It is your responsibility to ensure you have all the correct documentation prior to travel.
To enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program all visitors need to have an individual, biometric or machine-readable passport and will also be required to complete an I-94 form; which will be provided by your airline or cruise operator at the time of travel. The guidelines regarding which passport type is valid are available on the ESTA website:
Please contact your assigned consultant for additional information if required.