22 December 2008

4,000 a day signing for new US entry approval

More than 4,000 people from the UK eligible to travel to the US on the visa waiver programme are registering daily with the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.

Between 35-40% of those registering from visa waiver countries come from the UK.

Registration for ESTA becomes mandatory on January 12 - less than a month from now.

All travellers to the US from visa waiver programme countries, including the UK, will be required by law to obtain a travel authorisation prior to travelling.

Department of Homeland Security attaché at the US Embassy in London Mike Restovich said: "We suspect the number of travelers registering will increase as we get closer to January 12.

"We believe a number of travellers will put off registering until right before ESTA becomes mandatory or until a few days before departure."

by Phil Davies

Post your comment

Your Comments (3)

How to register for ESTA

To register for ESTAâ¢ simply go to the web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. You will need to provide your passport information and travel details. It is easy and totally Free of Charge Stella Clery-Ackland UK Representative Travel Industry Associaition

By Stella Clery, Monday, December 22, 2008
What is the purpose ?

I registered for this program (simple and painless via the web) - and I thought this would replace the I95W green form, as it basically asks the same questions. However when I arrived at Miami a couple of days later I was told that I still needed to fill the form anyway ... so what is the purpose of this mandatory registration ?

By Mark Ridley, Monday, December 22, 2008
how do you register?

how do you register?

By timothy wright, Monday, December 22, 2008