 |
An
approved
ESTA
Travel
Authorization
is only
necessary
for the
purpose
of
traveling
to the
United
States
for
travelers
on the
Visa
Waiver
Program. |
|
|
As
of
August
1, 2008
Visa
Waiver
travelers
can
voluntarily
apply
for a
Travel
Authorization. |
|
|
A
Travel
Authorization
is valid
for 2
years
unless
your
passport
expires
earlier
where
the
passport
and
travel
authorization
expiry
date
will
coincide. |
|
|
As
of
January
12, 2009
a Travel
Authorization
is
mandatory
for all
Visa
Waiver
travelers
that
intend
to enter
the
United
States
by air
or sea.
Without
an
approved
ESTA
Travel
Authorization
you may
experience
denied
boarding,
delayed
processing
or
denied
entry at
the U.S.
border. |
|
|
Applying
for a
Travel
Authorization
is not
related
to any
Visa
processes.
It is a
separate
requirement
related
to Visa
Waiver
Travelers
only and
their
travel
to the
United
States. |
|
|
Do
you have
a
machine
readable
passport
issued
between
October
26, 2005
and
October
25,
2006? If
so, the
passport
requires
a
digital
photograph
printed
on the
page
that
contains
the
data.
Alternatively
the
passport
needs an
integrated
chip
containing
the
information
from the
data
page. |
|
|
Canada,
Mexico
and
Bermuda
do not
participate
in the
Visa
Waiver
Program. |
|
|
The
USA-PATRIOT
Act
requires
that all
Visa
Waiver
Travelers
have a
machine-readable
passport.
If you
are from
a Visa
Waiver
Country
but hold
an old
passport
(non-machine
readable),
you must
apply
for a
visitor
visa in
advance. |
|
|
Citizens
from
Mexico
can
visit
the US
with a
visitor
visa or
Border
Crossing
Card. |
|
|
The
US-VISIT
program
is
series
of
security
measures
including
screening
of
visitors,
arrival
of
visitors
and
departure
of
visitors.
The
US-VISIT
normally
applies
to all
visitors
holding
non-immigrant
visas.
The
US-VISIT
program
is not
related
to any
visa
procedures,
it is
only
related
to
protecting
the US
borders. |
|
|
International
travelers
had the
option
of using
a
"US-VISIT
exit
booth"
until
May 6,
2007.
However,
this is
no
longer
an
option.
Foreign
visitors
are only
required
to
surrender
Form
I-94/I-94W
upon
departure
from the
United
States.
Normally
Form
I-94/I-94W
is given
back to
and
airline
representative
or sea
carrier
check-in
agent. |
|
|
Private
aircrafts
are not
eligible
to
participate
in the
Visa
Waiver
Program
and
carry
passengers
to the
United
States. |
