Electronic System for Travel Authorization

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 arriving by air or sea to complete online the I-94W form (formerly paper-based and filled on arrival by participating VWP citizens) in advance of travel to the United States. ESTA is not needed when arriving by land from Canada or Mexico. Passengers (including young minors) (babies) without an ESTA may be denied to check in, although it is possible to get one while at the airport. Since 2010 the payment of $14 is required to obtain the ESTA.


History


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, although they may still need to complete the I-94W paper form for land entry, or if the electronic system is unavailable.
At the behest of the Spanish government, the name of the requirement was changed from ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to ESTA because of concerns about the Basque separatist group which also goes by the initials "ETA". Australia operates a similar and older system, which is still called Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system.
ESTA adds a requirement for pre-authorization to the existing Visa Waiver Program.
From January 20, 2010 airlines are enforced (through fines) to require ESTA at check in.
Before September 8, 2010 ESTA was available for free from the official government websites. From then, the Travel Promotion Act introduced a charge of $14. This is made 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 it is illogical to think tourist numbers will go up if they are charged to enter the country  The charge has also been described as little more than a way to fund advertisements for United States tourism by critics in the European Parliament.




Applying for ESTA


The U.S. Government recommends that travellers go online to submit an authorization request three days (72 hours) before travelling to the United States. This is not a requirement, and the majority of applications are approved in less than one minute. However, if a traveller is not eligible for visa-free travel, he or she will need to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which is a substantially lengthier process that may require an interview with a U.S. Consular officer. This recommendation has been widely mischaracterized in the press as a requirement. As a result, opponents claim the new rules will delay last-minute business travel. Once a traveller obtains an authorization, it is valid for two years or until the traveller's passport expires, whichever comes first.




Third party websites


Some websites offer to complete ESTA applications for a fee. Access and application through the official U.S. Government website are available to any passengers/visitors to the U.S. who qualify under the ESTA program. Even if one of the third party websites is used, passengers themselves still have to fill in the same form.