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.
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.
What bothers me the most is that Micheal Chertoff never mention how secured the data collected will be.
Evans, Milton Keynes, England
Well done Paul Freeman & Brian Coakes, you have won first prize in the Success of Spin competition held by the British/USA Governments! You do not really believe that this actually deters terrorism do you & if you do, please explain in 200 words!! Gave up on travel to USA years ago...
Tony, BIarritz, France
Nobody should miss the point that all this is doing is eventually replacing the I94 Green Visa Waiver card that everyone has to complete anyway with an electronic version. And who knows whether there is already some paranoia with the existing card that they might be stashed in some vault somewhere
Paul, London,
Let's hope the UK follows there example in relation to visitors from the USA - I very much doubt it!
Mine C, London, UK
I am a privacy advocate. While I agree that this information is useful, keeping it for 15 years and sharing it with undisclosed parties, perhaps outside the realm of visa or passport applications, bothers me.
As for the big brother tactic, I'm far more worried about RFID in visa and passports.
Michael Graff, Norman, OK, US
Agreed. I don't want to travel on a plane with people who won't provide these details. Time the majority got to vote on this, not just the minority.
Paul Freeman, London, England
Its not big brother tactics at all, it is just plain common sense in this day and age of terrorism Only those with someting to hide will object and they shouldn't be welcome in any Country
Brian Coakes, Attleborough, UK
Any big brother tactics. I think people will think twice before traveling to US now
Irfan, Birmingham, UK