Visa Waiver Program still in operation

[Mark UK 3]

Hi, all,

Not sure if this is the correct forum to post or not - my family is coming to visit us in the US as part of their annual vacation (they did it last year).

I assumed that they could use the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) in the same way that they did last year. However, I heard something about them having to pre-register!

Is this true? They're due to travel in the next three weeks and their airline never mentioned it....

Any help or advice is, as ever, appreciated!

Mark

[samantha_lou 0]

My Mum & Dad are coming over for Christmas, and mentioned something about having pre-register on a website in advance of travelling. I don't have any of the details though I'm afraid...

Don't think it will be too much of a big deal though!

[psho 0]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Sy...l_Authorization

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a requirement issued by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff which requires airline passengers from visa-waived countries (most of Western Europe, Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore) to register with the U.S. government in advance of travel to the United States.[1]

Passengers have been able to sign up since August 2008, but the travel authorization will not become mandatory until January 2009.[2] Once screened, passengers are exempt from screening as their records will be kept on file for two years.

Opponents claim the new rules will delay last minute business travel.

At the behest of the Spanish government, the name of the rule was change from ETA (electronic travel authorization) to ESTA because of concerns about the Basque separatist group who also goes by ETA.[citation needed]

The Australian equivalent is still called ETA[3]. It is also generally called a visa, or electronic visa.

The US version is not called a visa by the US, therefore still no visa is officially needed, but an appoved application to visit the US several days before is needed, which is very close to a visa requirement.

As opposed to the $131 processing fee for a visa, ESTA is currently free of charge, but this may change [4]

[pianojangee 0]

I found this from US Department of State.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

This is US Customs and Border Protection instruction on ESTA Registration for VWP country citizens.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/esta_intro/

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel...sta_english.pdf

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Hi, all,

Not sure if this is the correct forum to post or not - my family is coming to visit us in the US as part of their annual vacation (they did it last year).

I assumed that they could use the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) in the same way that they did last year. However, I heard something about them having to pre-register!

Is this true? They're due to travel in the next three weeks and their airline never mentioned it....

Any help or advice is, as ever, appreciated!

Mark

As another poster has said, ESTAs will become compulsory from January 2009, so if your family is due to arrive after that time, then they'll need to register. If they're coming over prior to January 2009, they will be able to use the VWP as they have previously.

Oh and btw, all an ESTA does is allow you to board a plane to the U.S. - the usual ####### still applies at the POE.

[cca 13]

hahah all u can do is laugh at how ridiculous this all is. My fiancee says he thinks is becuase its Bush's last year in power and so hes trying to get everything exactly how he wants it before he leaves. This may not even take effect becuase if Obama gets elected he might change it all..if its McCain then we're in trouble.....

[MargotDarko 0]

The pre-registering isn't a big deal. It seems easy to do and once it's done, you're good to go for two years. And like someone else said, if you're travelling before January 2009, it's not even compulsive yet.

The VWP isn't actually changing. It's not like are new restrictions on who can travel to the US on the VWP or anything. It is simply that you give them information in advance instead of just at the point of entry.

[Laura+Tom 2]

The pre-registering isn't a big deal. It seems easy to do and once it's done, you're good to go for two years. And like someone else said, if you're travelling before January 2009, it's not even compulsive yet.

The VWP isn't actually changing. It's not like are new restrictions on who can travel to the US on the VWP or anything. It is simply that you give them information in advance instead of just at the point of entry.

Yeah, it's just like airlines now want additional passenger information from you before you fly, should only take a matter of minutes to complete. Additionaly I always make the effort to register with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as well before I travel.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

hahah all u can do is laugh at how ridiculous this all is. My fiancee says he thinks is becuase its Bush's last year in power and so hes trying to get everything exactly how he wants it before he leaves. This may not even take effect. becuase if Obama gets elected he might change it all. if its McCain then we're in trouble.....

For the record, I think this statement is ridiculous. Presidents don't tend to mico-manage every decision the State Dept officials make. From what I understand, it's a regulation and not a law passed by Congress, which would require a presidential signature.

I don't mind the requirement. I think it's a good idea to know in advance who is boarding a plane to seek entry into the US. VWP is still a privilege and alot easier than trying to get a B2 tourist visa.