ESTA Travel Registration for the USA Information. **ESTA MANDATORY FROM 20TH JAN 2010**

USA ESTA Application





Welcome to USA Travel. You can find both serious and good humoured (humored?) information on the USA for tourists, such as History, Cities and Passport information - as well as how to register with ESTA if you are traveling from outside the US. We also have translated Pages here. We will also be adding USA Travel blogs and Airport information, as well as details on how best to spend your money when traveling to the USA. The new ESTA Application process is much easier and secure for both yourself and the USA customs, and should keep USA travel safer for everyone, as well as cut down on people being sent back home after entering the US by registering online beforehand.

To start with, here is some more information on USA Travel Registration. International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are now subject to enhanced security requirements. All eligible travelers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorization through a system called ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)

What is Travel Authorization?

To strengthen the security of travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, requirements to travel visa-free have been enhanced. Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries will still be eligible to travel without a visa but will have to obtain an approved travel authorization prior to their travel to the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection have provided a secure public Web site with an automated form for you, or a third party, to complete in order to apply for a travel authorization. Once you enter the required biographic and travel information on the secure Web site, your application is processed by the system to determine if you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa. The system will provide you with an automated response, and prior to boarding, a carrier will electronically verify with the United States Customs and Border Protection that you have an approved travel authorization on file.

USA Travel Registration - ESTA Application, Authorization Image

As of January 2009 You need to Apply for Authorization to travel to the US if:

+ You are a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country.
+ You are currently not in possession of a visitor's visa.
+ Your travel is for 90 days or less.
+ You plan to travel to the United States for business or pleasure.

Is there a fee for a travel authorization?

Currently there is no fee to apply for a travel authorization. There is currently discussion of a nominal $10 fee for ESTA, which has just been passed - under The Travel Promotion Act, (TPA) - at a vote of 79-14 in the US Senate. This $10 fee is set to come in at the end of 2009 to much criticism. The service is still free as of September 2009. After or during the booking of your flight or holiday your travel agent or the website which you booked your ticket on should send you further information pertaining to USA Travel Registration.

FAQ



How long is my travel authorization valid?

Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The Authorization Approved screen displays your travel authorization expiration date.


When do I need to apply for a travel authorization?

Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that travel authorization applications be submitted at least 72 hours prior to travel. Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

How do I apply for authorization to travel to the United States?

ESTA Process including: Complete Your Application, Submit Your Application, Receive and Record Your Application Number, Receive Response to Your Application


Step 1: Complete Your Application

Enter all required information. You will be asked to provide information from your passport and your travel arrangements, and to answer seven security questions. Each member of your party must have an approved travel authorization or a visa, regardless of age.


Step 2: Submit Your Application

Review your answers for accuracy. To make corrections, return to the application by selecting the Previous button. Prior to submitting your application for processing, the Department of Homeland Security recommends printing a copy for your records. However, you will not be required to show a printed copy of your application. Once you complete this step and submit your application, you will not have the option of printing a copy of your application.


Step 3: Receive and Record Your Application Number

After you submit your application, the system will provide you with an application number. Record this application number for your records. To check the status of or to update your application, you will be asked to provide your application number, passport number, and date of birth.


Step 4: Receive Response to Your Application

In most cases the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will return an Application Status immediately. In cases where more time is needed to determine the status of the application, an answer will be returned within 72 hours. Information will be provided to check the application status if you receive a pending response. The three possible responses are:

Authorization Approved. Your travel authorization has been approved and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. This response does not guarantee admission to the United States; a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry will have the final determination.

Travel Not Authorized. You are not authorized to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. You may be able to obtain a visa from the Department of State for your travel. Please visit the United States Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa. This response does not deny entry into the United States. This response only prohibits traveling under the Visa Waiver Program.

Authorization Pending. Your travel authorization is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application. This response does not indicate negative findings. A determination will be available within 72 hours. Please return to this Web site and choose Update or Check the Status of a Previously Submitted Authorization to Travel to the United States. Your application number, passport number, and birth date will be required to check the status of your application.

Countries that need to Register to Travel to the US from January 2009

As of 12th January 2009 everyone wanting to travel to the USA from the 26 countries that do not require a Visa at the moment will have to complete an online US Travel Registration form up to 3 days before the trip. This will help travelers register for 2 years for entry into the US for holidays. If you are traveling from any of these countries you will need to complete the online form.

The current countries covered by the Via Waiver Program are:

Andorra Iceland Norway Austria Italy San Marino Germany
Australia Ireland Portugal Belgium Japan Singapore New Zealand
Brunei Liechtenstein Slovenia Finland Monaco Sweden United Kingdom
Denmark Luxembourg Spain France Netherlands Switzerland