Electronic System for Travel Authorisation
New requirement for Visa Waiver Programme Travellers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced
the introduction of an Electronic System for Travel
Authorisation (ESTA), a new requirement for travel to
the U.S. as part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Effective 12 January 2009, all passengers who intend to
travel to the United States without a U.S. Visa under
the terms of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), must obtain
an electronic pre-authorisation or ESTA prior to
boarding a flight to the U.S.
For more details on the Visa Waiver Program, a list of
VWP eligible countries, and the new ESTA process, please
visit the ESTA website at
http://www.cbp.gov/ESTA
Prospective VWP travellers must apply for an ESTA online
through the U.S. government web site at
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
Currently the government does not charge for ESTA
application or ESTA issuance. Applications may be
submitted at any time prior to travel to the U.S. and
VWP travellers are encouraged to apply for authorisation
as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the U.S. and no
later than 72 hours before departure.
An approved ESTA travel authorisation is:
• Only accessible through application at the U.S.
government website
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
• Valid for up to two years or until the traveller’s
passport expires, whichever comes first
• Valid for multiple entries into the U.S. and
• Not a guarantee of admissibility to the U.S. at a port
of entry. ESTA approval only
authorises a traveller to board a carrier for travel to
the U.S. under the VWP.
