New requirements for travelers participating in visa waiver program travel to the United States

The United States Mission in Kampala, Uganda wishes to advise members of the public who are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) of the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirements.  Citizens and nationals of newly admitted countries to the Visa Waiver Program must now apply for ESTA authorization and receive approval before traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

On January 12, 2009 ESTA approval requirements will expand and become mandatory for citizens or nationals of all Visa Waiver Program countries, not just the newly admitted countries, who travel to the United States without a visa as a Visa Waiver participant.  The Visa Waiver Program permits citizens and nationals of certain countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa for tourism or business purposes and stays of 90 days or less.
 
Travelers should submit ESTA applications before traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program via the secure website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. 

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the VWP, and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk.  Upon completion of an ESTA application, a VWP traveler is notified electronically of his or her eligibility to travel to the United States under the VWP.

ESTA application data will remain active for a period of time that the approved ESTA is valid, which is generally two years, or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first.  Each approved ESTA application will permit multiple visits to the United States within the period of approval.  A new authorization is required if (1) the traveler is issued a new passport; (2) the traveler changes his or her name; (3) the traveler changes his or her gender; (4) the traveler's country of citizenship changes; or (5) the circumstances underlying the traveler's previous responses to any of the ESTA application questions requiring a "yes" or "no" response have changed.

Travelers can apply for travel authorization on ESTA anytime before traveling to the United States, but preferably as soon as the traveler begins to plan a trip.  In most cases, ESTA will provide an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel under VWP.  Travelers are not required to have a specific itinerary before submitting an ESTA application.

Each VWP traveler, including accompanied or unaccompanied children, is required to obtain an independent ESTA approval.  Third parties, such as relatives, friends, or travel agents, are permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveler.  Currently, there is no fee for ESTA applications.

NEWLY ADMITTED COUNTRIES
WHOSE CITIZENS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

Czech Republic    Latvia
Estonia      Lithuania
Hungary     Slovakia
Republic of Korea   

Eligible citizens or nationals of the above new VWP countries may now travel to the United States under the VWP provided they have an e-passport and an approved authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

VISA WAIVER COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS WILL REQUIRE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ESTA) APPROVAL
FOR TRAVEL ON OR AFTER JANUARY 12, 2009
 
Andorra     Luxembourg
Australia     Monaco
Austria      The Netherlands
Belgium     New Zealand
Brunei      Norway
Denmark     Portugal
Finland     San Marino
France      Singapore
Germany     Slovenia
Iceland      Spain
Ireland      Sweden
Italy      Switzerland
Japan      United Kingdom
Liechtenstein

Travelers considering Visa Waiver Program travel to the United States are encouraged to learn more about VWP eligibility criteria at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html.

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions about the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) are available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/about_esta/esta_faq.ctt/esta_faq.pdf.