New rules for visa waiver

[ujpest doza]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
You will have to update the address each time you visit unless you are staying at the same place apparently.
the first time you do it you will receive an ESTA number which the airlines will require before you fly and this is the numer (once you have received approval) which SHOULD provided everything is straightforward be issued vitually instantly once they have reviewed your infor. Then when travelling you will not need to fill in the green form on the plane once it is full yoperational.
you can reigster voluntarily from 1st Aug this year but from (12th?) January 2009 it will be compulsory , at the moment registration is free but they are expecting to bring in a charge ($10 has been mentioned) at a later date.
[/quote]Apparently not :

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Authorities claim to have ironed out glitches in its new system that went live last week on a voluntary basis. A fault that barred anyone from registering who had a passport with more than 10 years validity has now been fixed.



ESTA lasts for two years and has the advantage that travellers do not need to change their destination information each time they visit the US, as this is covered by the APIS system. Last-minute travellers will be able to get ESTAs at airports, but are advised to apply at least 72 hours in advance.



Officials stress that in an emergency, approval can be granted very quickly.

[/quote]http://www.abtn.co.uk/US_border_cont...remain_for_now

[steph_goodrum]

That was something that has been unclear on all of the info so far so at least it appears to be clarified and hopefully make life easier when we dont have to fill in the green card on the way.

[Val]

Had the following information through at work this morning from our travel departement.
Vasl

Important changes to U.S. Visa Waiver Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which will begin to accept voluntary applications starting on August 1, 2008. ESTA is a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and travellers are encouraged to apply for authorisation as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.

Currently, citizens of the 27 VWP countries complete a written I-94W form providing basic biographical, travel, and eligibility information while en-route to the U.S. With ESTA, VWP travellers will provide this information online prior to departure for the U.S.

Once ESTA is mandatory, all nationals or citizens of the visa waiver countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorisation prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship.

Until ESTA is mandatory for all VWP travellers, however, ESTA applicants will also still need to complete an I-94W form en-route, for presentation at a U.S. port of entry. The Secretary of Homeland Security is anticipated to publish a notice in the Federal Register by mid-November 2008, announcing implementation of mandatory ESTA requirements on January 12, 2009.

Useful websites:
· More about ESTA - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/
· More information about the Visa Waiver Program - www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html

Visa waiver countries include: 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.

[sammibabe]

So is it worth, or helpful, to register now as we're going next week?
( [clap] )Do you have to register all individually as you do with the visa waiver forms or one for the group?

[Robert5988]

I registered and my approval to travel came back instantly

[Mo Green]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sammibabe
So is it worth, or helpful, to register now as we're going next week?
( [clap] )Do you have to register all individually as you do with the visa waiver forms or one for the group?[/quote]They have to be done individually as with the current visa waiver forms.

Mo

[Robert5988]

What I find rather strange about the system is that it asks you which airport you are leaving from, the Airline and Flight No - but not the date you are travelling.

So I have permission to travel to the USA from Manchester, with American Airlines on Flight No AA55 at any time over the next 2 years.

[sammibabe]

I have looked at one of the links above and I do not see any benefit to registering for this trip as I will still have to fill out a handful of greenies! It is valid for 2 years but we will probably not be able to return before it is out of date[msnsad]

[shockey]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:So I have permission to travel to the USA from Manchester, with American Airlines on Flight No AA55 at any time over the next 2 years.
[/quote]
Flight details are one of the things that you can update online without submitting a new application:

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHel...%20I%20update?

[hazelk]

Hi

We are travelling next May and was going to complete the form online last night but got stuck at the address we are stay at in Orlando. We have rented a villa and at this point only know the name of the Villa and area it is in. I could contact the owner for the full address but I am sure when I booked my flights with Thomas Cook they said that they will give me their Orlando address to give as our contact address in the US, does this seem right?

Any help would appreciated.

Thanks