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Immigration
DHS Introduces Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a U.S. government Web site.
DHS does not charge VWP travelers a fee for completion of an ESTA application. Eligible visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP may apply for travel authorization via the ESTA Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Once approved, an ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. DHS recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans. If you need assistance completing an application, a friend, relative, personnel in the travel industry, or other third parties may file an application on your behalf.
VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third parties have established Web sites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA and for submitting ESTA applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States government.
The ESTA application Web site is available in 16 languages and includes a help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to guide them through the application process. Additional information about ESTA may be found at http://www.cbp.gov/esta.
Please contact your Hodgson Russ immigration professional with any questions.
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