Electronic System for Travel Authorization
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The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a United States government requirement (mandated by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007) for participating travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Authorization via ESTA does not determine whether a traveler is admissible to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers determine admissibility upon travelers’ arrival. The ESTA application collects biographic information and answers to VWP eligibility questions. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets.
ESTA is not needed when arriving by land from Canada or Mexico. Passengers (including babies) without an ESTA may be denied check in, although it might be possible to get one while at the departure airport. Since 2010 the payment of US$14 is required to obtain the ESTA.
Passengers were able to sign up in August 2008, and the travel authorization became mandatory from January 12, 2009. Once pre-screened, passengers may reuse the ESTA approval for two years (1 year in case of Greece), although they may still need to complete the I-94W paper form for land entry, or if the electronic system is unavailable.
ESTA adds a requirement for pre-authorization to the existing Visa Waiver Program.
Since January 20, 2010, airlines have been forced (through fines) to require ESTA at check in.
Before September 8, 2010, ESTA was available for free from the official government websites. Since then, the Travel Promotion Act introduced a charge of $14. This is made up of $10 which goes to the Corporation for Travel Promotion and a $4 fee levied by the CBP for administration costs. The EU Ambassador to the United States John Bruton argued that it is illogical to think tourist numbers will go up if they are charged to enter the country. The charge has also been described by critics in the European Parliament as little more than a way to fund advertisements for United States tourism.
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