US-Bound Travellers Required to Submit ESTA Application
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
At the beginning of 2010 it became a legal requirement for everyone from the UK travelling to the US to complete an ESTA application ahead of their departure date. Whether arriving by air or sea, even those making a connection must complete the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation to avoid being refused entry into the country.
Having taken effect on January 20th, ESTA is a compulsory requirement for US visa Waiver Program travellers. It's important to bear in mind that successfully applying for ESTA doesn't guarantee a person entry into the US; it does, however, let travellers know in advance that they're eligible to travel.
Under the old system, which involved completing the I-94W green form on the aeroplane, a traveller would only find out on arrival whether they weren't able to be admitted entry to the US. However, now those heading to America can now find out in advance whether they're qualified to travel across the Atlantic.
The final decision on whether a traveller will be allowed in to the US rests with a customs and border protection officer, who will exercise discretion on whether they believe an individual meets the Visa Waiver Program criteria. Fortunately, there have been very few instances of a successful ESTA applicant being refused entry; something that is usually reserved for those who have failed to declare a criminal record. Indeed, the ESTA refusal rate stands at just 0.5 per cent. Applicants who are refused entry and are turned back will need to apply for a visa from their nearest US Embassy, should they still wish to travel.
It is advised that US-bound travellers complete their ESTA application at least 72 hours before departure, although last minute travel can be accommodated because the system is electronic. Once approved, the ESTA will be valid for two years. Approvals are normally completed in a matter of seconds, although it can take up to 72 hours because of the amount of data that has to be checked. Travellers are reminded to make a note of their ESTA approval number in case their application has to be accessed at a later date.
To apply for an ESTA with the American Visa Bureau, applicants should begin by completing their online ESTA application. This takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, with most applications being processed instantly (although the process may take up to 72 hours).
Checking your ESTA status is simple, and can be done by logging into the American Visa Bureau site with just your email address and password via the ESTA status page. As the Visa Bureau website is verified as THAWT secured (the highest level of Internet security available), you can be assured that your details will be secure.
American Visa Bureau also provides regular reminders to keep you aware of the details attached to your ESTA and when you will need to reapply.
If you're travelling to the US from another European country, you'll be pleased to learn that the Visa Waiver Program applies to a number of nations. Nationals of France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Scandinavia can all submit an ESTA application, as can residents of smaller states such as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Monaco. ESTA isn't limited to Europe either, with the process extending to Australia, Brunei, Japan and New Zealand. For those heading to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, an ESTA application is also necessary. This is because both destinations are American territories and are therefore governed by the US.
If a number of people are travelling to America in a group, each member of the party is required to complete an ESTA application. Although someone can apply in your behalf, they must ensure that the information they submit is entirely accurate. Any inaccuracies are the responsibility of the applicant; which is not necessarily the person who completed the application.
ESTA has brought the procedure for entering the US into the 21st century. Not only do travellers now know that they'll be permitted entry before their departure, there's no longer a need to fill out paperwork; which means no more instances of an I-94W form being left on the aeroplane after landing.
Having been mandated by US government legislation, ESTA is based on the ETA system that has been used in Australia for a number of years. The process looks set to expand over the coming years, with Taiwan the latest nation to meet the requirements to be included in the US Visa Waiver Program.
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