US Travel Authorization
|
This is for our international readers who want to visit the US.
If you are a citizen of one of the countries who does not need a visa... the 35 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program... you will now need to obtain an authorization from US the Department of Homeland Security.
This is called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This program has been a voluntary program for the last few months, but it is now mandatory.
The Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the US for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.There are currently 35 countries which participate in this program.
Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
The Electronic System for US Travel Authorization Mandatory from Jan. 12, 2009
The Department of Homeland Security issued this advisory about ESTA... "Beginning Jan. 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." Click here for the full text of their advisory statement.They have set up a secure website for electronic application for this US Travel Authorization. We'll send you to the US Customs and Border Patrol's page about ESTA. Click on "Apply here" for the electronic application.
ESTA Basics
There is currently no fee to apply for a US travel authorization, but the government says that there may be an application fee in the future.Travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
You will be asked for your name, birthdate, country of citizenship, home address, the usual passport information, where you will be staying in the U.S. and how you are arriving if you know. They also ask if you have a communicable disease or are a drug user, if you have been arrested for certain crimes and on and on. Again, here is the ESTA help page for more complete explanations.
If you get a new passport or information on your passport changed (like if you get married and change your name) you will need to apply for a new travel authorization.
If you receive a "Travel Not Authorized" response to your application, you may apply for a visa. The government says, "The denial of a travel authorization only prohibits travel under the Visa Waiver Program and is not a determination of eligibility for a visa to travel to the United States.
The Bottom Line
We're just informing you about the new law. For complete information, go to the websites listed above. To be an international traveler, you need to stay alert to all the changes that are going on around the world. In this case, it's another layer of documentation to worry about.To our fellow US citizens, you should stay alert too. With this new law implemented, there may very well be reciprocal requirements applied to us --US citizens -- to travel to the countries that are affected. It all seems to add to the hassles of travel, but don't let it stop you from exploring the world. We believe the world is a better place when more of us travel and get to know one another. So just stay alert for any new government regulations and keep on traveling.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
What Is A Visa and When Do You Need One
What Is A Passport How to Get A Passport
What Do Passports Cost? What Is A U.S. Passport Card?
return from US Travel Authorization to MouseToursTravels Home Page
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.
SBI Made This Site Easy For Us... Try It For Yourself - Risk Free Psst... What's BB2? Read the buzz...  We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language... What are your resolutions? To lose weight? To Exercise more? Why not a FUN resolution! Resolve to TRAVEL! It's a good time to plan your travels... And we have lists to help.... Custom Tour Planning List Destination stories.... Europe Travel Tips Africa Dream List Travel Planning International Travel Planning Tips Guidebooks can help you plan Don't Forget Valentine's Day Romantic Weekends What About Your Passport? Time to get one... or renew... Answers about Passports and Visas Dreaming of Warm Weather or Snow?  Packing for a Tropical Vacation Cold Weather Packing List Find Travel Gear and Books Magellans Travel Supplies has great travel clothing, moneybelts, security purses... anything a traveler needs! or Lonely Planet Guidebooks We always say shop and compare at several sources. Here are some of our favorites... Cheap airfare, hotels, car rentals, vacations and cruises at Expedia.com! All the best hotel sites in one place right here. Hotels Combined... We are not travel agents, but we're affiliated with these and other great companies. What's Yours? We have lots of fun traveling... and we've had lots of fun creating this website. It earns us money too! No get-rich quick scheme here.... just honest pages about our travels. Is this something you've ever wanted to try? Are you passionate or knowledgeable about something? An expert even? Boats ...or... business? Plants ...or... parenting? Anything! Turn it into a web business. Click on the SBI TV icon below and learn how a new life could be yours...
Why NOT you? If you're like me, you like to talk to a real person and get answers to your questions... We get that! Honest answers... honestly ...Promise! Like Our Site Top Left Like Our Fanpage Below Thank You! "I love your website! It's easy to read, informative and engaging. I will come back and explore it over and over because I know there will be interesting things I missed the first time." --Dave, California "Your carry-on packing tips helped me so much. I never thought I could pack light enough, but with your packing tips and your packing lists, I CAN do it. I thank you, and my husband thanks you!" --Debbie, Florida "Thanks for this site.... it's great stuff!" --Jim, Canada "I just started reading and love your site! I haven't even read much, but I had to stop and tell you 'yeah!' I am excited to pack well for this trip and start planning the next one!" --Natalie, U.K. |
