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The United States will soon have a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Travelers who are coming to the U.S. from one of the 27 waivers countries which don’t need a visa to fly to the States will have to fill out an online form about their health and criminal background starting January 12, 2009. The form can be filled out by travelers online anytime before their departure date, but it’s encouraged to be at least three days before traveling.
The 27 waiver countries include:
Andorra
Austria
Australia
Belgium
Brunei
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Monaco
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Though the requirement doesn’t go into effect until January, the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form will begin a testing phase this Friday, August 1, 2008.
The online form is currently free, but it is unknown if that will change in the future. Travelers will be asked questions about contagious diseases, mental disorders, physical conditions, drug abuse, criminal convictions, and if they have been involved in spying, terrorist activities or genocide. The answers will determine whether the applicant is eligible to travel under the VWP and whether the traveler poses a law enforcement or security risk.
Once the form is completed online, authorization will be given immediately in most cases and the permit will be good for two years.
The European Commission will be monitoring the test phase to make sure its not actual a faux visa in disguise. The commission expect to give a report about the ESTA in November.
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