New rules hit travellers to the United States

Anyone travelling to the United States from this Wednesday will need to go online first and fill out a visa-waiver application form.

The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was introduced a year ago but it becomes obligatory for all visitors to the US from January 20.

British Airways (www.ba.com) and American Airlines (www.americanairlines.co.uk) are warning passengers that they won't be allowed to board flights from Wednesday unless they have already been approved by the scheme.

Passengers are advised to fill out the form, available free at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html, at least 72 hours before departure.

The ESTA scheme replaces the old system whereby passengers eligible to enter the US under the visa-waiver scheme, including all British passport holders, filled out a green card on the flight or when they landed in the States.

There is currently no charge for the ESTA scheme for those who apply via the official ESTA website, but a minimum $10 fee is expected to be introduced this summer. The US Senate has already voted in favour of charging tourists to enter the country, a move which is likely to be ratified by the House of Representatives shortly.

As ESTA approval is valid for multiple entry to the US for two years, anyone planning a trip over the next 24 months should apply as soon as possible to avoid the charges.

Readers should be aware that there are already some organisations that charge an administration fee to process ESTA applications, but these are not representatives of the US government. One such website is www.esta-authorisation.com.

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