Frequently Asked Questions

Effective January 12, 2009, all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers will be required to have an electronic travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. (E.S.T.A). Homeland Security has developed a web-based system that determines the eligibility of visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries (VWP) to travel to the United States. Please note citizens of the following countries who are NOT U. S. Residents (ARC-“Green Card” holders) must fulfill this requirement or entry to the United States may be denied:

Andorra	Estonia	Italy	Malta	Singapore
Austria	France	Japan	Monaco	Slovakia
Australia	Finland	Korea, Republic of	Netherlands	Slovenia
Belgium	Germany	Latvia	New Zealand	Spain
Brunei	Hungary	Liechtenstein	Norway	Sweden
Czech Republic	Iceland	Lithuania	Portugal	Switzerland
Denmark	Ireland	Luxembourg	San Marino	United Kingdom

Travelers must enter information into the following secure website: www.cbp.gov/esta

The Office of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) expects the ESTA website to be fully operational by October 15, 2008. The website will initially be available in English only but will soon be translated into several languages. The information required is similar to that already required on standard I-94W form currently in use. Travelers will receive real-time notification and the approval is stored in the electronic system for traveler’s convenience. Travelers may receive one of three responses:

Authorization Pending -> Traveler must check again within 72 hours for final response

Travel Not Authorized -> Traveler must obtain a non-immigrant Visa at a U. S.

Beyond enhanced security, the benefits for travelers ensures the future of the Visa Waiver Program, requires no visits to consulates if approved, is currently free to use, provides a fast response time, allows for last minute travel and is good for a duration of two (2) years including multiple trips. We ask that you please print a copy of your Authorization Approval directly from the website so that you may present it at embarkation.

Biometric Passports for Visa Waiver Countries

Deadline: October 26, 2005

This regulation applies to all Visa Waiver Program countries.

All Visa Waiver Program countries will be required to begin issuing passports with biometric identifiers by October 26, 2005. A biometric identifier is an electronic scan of a physical feature, such as an eye, hand, fingerprint, or face. It allows an immigration inspector to know for certain that the person appearing before them is the same person to whom a passport (or visa) was issued. The initial deadline for beginning to issue biometric passports was extended by one year to October 26, 2005.

Question: Will I be required to have a biometric passport after October 26, 2005 in order to enter the United States?

Answer : Not if you have a valid, machine-readable passport that was issued prior to October 26, 2005. The new regulation applies only to new passports issued after October 26, 2005.

Question: Will all Visa Waiver Program countries be able to issue biometric passports by the October 26, 2005 deadline?

Answer: The U.S. travel industry is greatly concerned that the October 26, 2005 deadline for biometric passports is still not achievable for all countries. The industry will continue to work with the U.S. Congress to try and obtain a further extension of the deadline if that is absolutely necessary. It is by no means certain however that Congress will vote for an extension so countries issuing passports and the worldwide travel industry should operate on the assumption that the October 26, 2005 deadline will not change.

For more information on Biometric Passports from the U.S. Department of State, click on