Travellers flying to the United States from next January will need to supply personal details to the country’s authorities using an online form at least three days before they fly.

The requirement will apply to the 15 million people who go to the US every year under the current Visa Waiver Program, which is open to people living in Britain and most Western European countries.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it plans to introduce the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) on 12 January 2009 following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. It will mean that people travelling for leisure or business trips of less than 90 days in length who currently complete a green form on board the plane, will be required to supply this information online in advance.

The DHS says that travellers should apply as soon as they start planning their trip and 72 hours in advance at the latest. However, the DHS says the system “will accommodate last minute and emergency travellers”, although no specific plans have been outlined at this stage.

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US-bound travellers will need to provide biographical data, flight number and destination address and the answers to a number of questions regarding communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, and past history of visa revocation or deportation.

Travellers who do not meet the necessary security requirements will be forced to obtain a US visa, a process which takes an average of five days for simple cases and up to eight weeks for more complicated cases. Anyone who has failed to obtain the necessary authorisation will not be allowed to board their flight to the States.

US Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, said: “Rather than relying on paper-based procedures, this system will leverage 21st century electronic means to obtain basic information about who is travelling to the US without a visa.

"Getting this information in advance enables our frontline personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveller presents a threat, before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores. It is a relatively simple and effective way to strengthen our security, and that of international travellers, while helping to preserve an important programme for key allies.”

However, once approved for entry, the traveller will be able to return to the country without filling in another form for the following two years or until their passport expires, whichever comes first.

The DHS says the information collected through the system will be kept for up to 15 years and may be shared with “appropriate” local, state, federal and foreign law-enforcement and anti-terrorism agencies.

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