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#1
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10-07-2009, 09:57 AM
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ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) No trip to the USA without Esta form! For the first time tourists and business people must necessarily apply for electronic travel authorization. Before Im allowed to do my trip to USA, I have to do this new online check called ESTA. If I'd answer only one of the questions (see attached form) by YES, I won't get the ESTA. When submitting the form, my data will be checked regarding Interpol files and local police files. I can't do the ESTA check right now because I'm waiting for the new biometrical traveller passport (takes about 3 weeks). Passengers have been able to sign up since August 2008, and the travel authorization has become mandatory since January 12, 2009. Once pre-screened, passengers may reuse the ESTA approval for two years, although they may still need to complete the I-94W paper form ("Non-immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form") on board an aircraft or ship, since the information is also used by the Census Bureau and the Department of Commerce, but the DHS online system is only designed to check participating VWP passengers against terrorist and/or no-fly lists and databases. Participating VWP passengers can get ESTA for free from https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The U.S. Government recommends that travellers go online to submit an authorization request three days (72 hours) before travelling to the United States. This is not a requirement, and the majority of applications is approved immediately (in less than one minute). However, if a traveller is not eligible for visa-free travel, he or she will need to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which is a substantially lengthier process that may require an interview with a U.S. Consular officer. |
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#3
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10-07-2009, 05:15 PM
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Re: ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
Well. As a tourist (max. 90 days visit without a visa) I must answer all questions with NO, then I hope I wont fail the ESTA check and get the authorization after some seconds as most tourists get. Furthermore I hope I wont fail the eye-to-eye check by costums officers at the airport. They will check my flight number, the personal address of my host and my traveller passport and take my finger prints. And then I'm in. |