A new travel authorisation system has been announced by the US government, to be introduced later this year and fully launched at the start of 2009.

Under the current system, visitors to the US have to complete written forms providing information about themselves before they will be admitted to the country.  The new system, the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), applies to all countries and their citizens who are currently part of the VWP (Visa waiver Program), which includes the UK.

Under the VWP, citizens are allowed to visit the United States for a maximum of 90 days without having to apply for a visa.

The new ESTA system will allow all the information to be collected electronically and is being seen as a modern method to obtain the necessary information and increase the security of the country whilst preserving the benefits of the VWP program for important ally countries.  Applications on the new ESTA program will be accepted from August this year and will be fully launched in January of 2009.  The applications are then valid for two years or until the person’s passport expires.

US homeland security secretary Michael Chertoff said:

“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 program for key allies.”