NewsRules for the United States: ESTA

Since June 2010 you must make an electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA) application

Special procedures for the United States

Since June 2010 you must make an electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA) application

This provision applies to people from countries benefitting from the Visa Waiver Program, VWP*. Authorisation is obtained over the Internet, through ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

REMEMBER:

• You must apply at least 72 hours before departure of your flight.
• The ESTA authorisation is valid for 2 years, as long as your passport remains valid during this period.
• This form replaces the information slip that used to have to be completed on the plane before landing in the United States.

Passengers who do not have this authorisation or who have given incorrect information will be denied boarding. Please take care when completing the form and enter your surname / first name, passport number and issuing country. In addition, in the event of a inputting error a new ESTA application will need to be made.

Once authorisation has been obtained you are advised to print and keep a copy.

From 1st November 2010 SECURE FLIGHT has also been implemented.

The aims of "SECURE FLIGHT" are:

• To improve the control of passengers travelling from, to or within the United States.
• To improve the quality of the journey for these passengers by carrying out certain checks before their departure and giving the airline advance confirmation of authorisation to board.

The information requested under this scheme (Secure Flight Passenger Data -SFPD) is:

For any journey from, to or within the United States;

• Full name (as stated on the passport or valid travel document)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Passport number

Either the maiden name or married name may be used provided the name used on buying the ticket is the same as that used for the ESTA application and the spelling is exactly the same as that shown on the passport.

This information must be sent when making reservation and buying the tickets or the passenger will be denied boarding on the day of departure. This information must be available 72 hours before departure. However, it is still possible, exceptionally, to buy a ticket at the last minute. In this case all the information will have to be provided when the ticket is bought.

Click here to find out more about ESTA and essential travel documents.