Europeans in U.S. to face online security
It will replace paper forms for visitors in the visa-waiver program. There is no fee.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Europeans and others who travel visa-free to the United States can start registering in August for a new online security screening check that becomes mandatory in January to enter the United States, officials said yesterday.
The new security measure will replace paper forms that visitors from 27 countries that participate in the U.S. visa-waiver program must fill out once they enter U.S. territory at airports and seaports. Authorities at land border crossings into the United States will continue to use the paper forms.
The Electronic System of Travel Authorization - or ESTA - "will help to modernize our pen and ink system and bring it into the 21st century," said Jackie Bednarz of the Department of Homeland Security. "All travelers including children of all ages must have an approved ESTA beginning Jan. 12."
No fee will be charged to fill out the online form, which will be valid for trips to the United States over two years or until the traveler's passport expires within that time.
The measure is meant to increase security of the visa-waiver program, allowing the government to screen visitors before they travel.
Visas are not required for U.S. entry by citizens from 15 European Union countries or 12 other countries: Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Japan, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore and Switzerland. Eight additional countries could be admitted to the visa-waiver program next year.
The electronic system adds to identity and travel checks that Washington has imposed on foreigners since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Incoming visitors already must provide fingerprints to U.S. border guards, and their airlines forward data including passenger names, addresses, seat numbers, credit-card information and travel details.
The EU is studying the ESTA security measure to determine whether it constitutes a new visa requirement. If it does, officials have warned, the EU might introduce countermeasures for American visitors.
The U.S. government has repeatedly assured the EU that the new system would simply replace the current forms Europeans fill out when they arrive in the United States.
Travelers will have to submit their online application at least three days before they head to the United States, and most should be approved within 24 hours, U.S. officials said. Those whose online forms are rejected will have to apply for a visa or seek further help at their local U.S. embassies.
The Web site, during its testing phase, is available only in English. Homeland Security's Bednarz said the online form would be available in more languages, such as French, German or Spanish, as of Oct. 15.