ESTA Approval for travel to the United States
Latest update » Passengers from countries that are subject to the Visa Waiver Programme are required to apply for a supplementary authorisation to enter the United States. This application is easy to submit by entering information at the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website.
Intensification ESTA-scheme
The US Department of Homeland Security charges high penalties to airlines for every passenger that enters the US without a ESTA approval. As a result passengers are required to complete an online form before leaving on a US-bound flight. KLM and Delta Air Lines already deny passengers without valid Esta forms to board flights. The scheme is currently free but as of September 8 2010 visitors from visa waiver countries are charged $14 to fill in the form and enter the country.
What is ESTA travel authorisation?
If you travel to the United States you will have to provide information of your whereabouts while staying in the US: as well as through the APIS-form as the ESTA travel authorisation. Visitors to the US can apply for a ESTA autorisation free of charge until September 8 2010. An approved ESTA is valid for two years and can be used for multiple entries into the US, unless the traveller’s request changes or the passport expires in which case a new ESTA application is required.
ESTA travel authorisation is normally granted immediately, but may take up to 72 hours. After approval of your application, you will receive a reference number. Be sure to write this down: you will need it to change your ESTA information when your passport expires.
Important notice
It is important to have a machine readable paspport. Children and babies travelling to the US need their own passport. Please make sure you request a ESTA for every passport.