Travel Authorisation (ESTA) begins on 12 January 2009

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will implement tighter restrictions on citizens from Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia as part of the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) beginning on 12 January 2009. Under the new regulations, citizens from any of the 34 countries that are currently part of the visa waiver program must register with the U.S. government online at least three days before departing for the United States. Travellers must provide the same information as on an I-94 card, including a passport number, country of residence, disclosure of communicable diseases and travel plans. The information will remain valid for two years (for trips of up to 90 days at a time); travellers will not need to re-register during the time period. DHS began allowing travellers to submit applications online beginning in August 2008. The new system will affect both tourist and business travellers. Only 830,000 people worldwide have submitted applications under the new system, raising logistical concerns about the implementation of the program when the new regulations come into effect on 12 January.