The Government Information Service (GIS) would hereby like to inform the general public that as of January 12, 2009, the United States of America will be introducing a new travel protocol.
Persons traveling to the United States by plane or boat for temporary business or pleasure will have to go online (internet) – Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – to fill out a visa waiver form in order to travel to the US.
Nationals of approximately 33 countries of the US Visa waiver Programme, filled out a green I-94W form. Instead of filling out the paper, travelers will have to go to a specific website and file their paper online.
Visa Waiver programme travelers which also includes Kingdom of the Netherlands passport holders will be required to obtain an electronic authorization prior to travel.
In most cases travelers will receive an online response within seconds. If valid, it will be good for up to two-years or when the passport expires, whichever comes first. The authorization is valid for multiple entries into the US. If you don’t fill out the online form, you may be denied entry to the US.
If you get an ‘authorization pending,’ you will need to check the Electronic System for Travel Authorization website within 72 hours to get a final response. Other possible responses are ‘Authorization Approved’ and ‘Travel Not Authorized.’
If denied, the traveler must obtain a non-immigrant visa at the US Consulate before traveling to the USA.
Countries that must file online include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belguim, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Persons who plan to travel after January 12, 2009 to the United States can expect to receive information from their travel agents or airlines with respect to the new travel protocol. For additional information, you can visit "Know Before You Go" at www.cbp.gov/travel