Media Release
U.S. Initiates Electronic System for Travel Authorization to the U.S. for Visa Waiver Program Countries
December 22, 2008
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that beginning January 12, 2009, citizens or nationals of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must obtain advance approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in order to travel to the United States. ESTA is already available online for applications.
In order to access ESTA from any Internet connection, applicants should go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Applications should be made at least 72 hours before departure, but can be made as soon as a VWP traveler begins to plan a trip to the United States. Travel authorizations are generally valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
Citizens or nationals of the following countries are required to obtain ESTA approval for travel effective January 12, 2009: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Seven countries recently added to the VWP have been required to obtain ESTA approval since November 17, 2008. Those countries are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia.
This important change will affect many VWP participants living in and traveling through the Pacific. However, the ESTA system is not intended for travelers who are currently required to obtain visas for travel to the United States. FSM Citizens are not affected by this new regulation.