Electronic System for Travel Authorization Now Online
Posted Aug 29, 2008
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a system for foreign travelers utilizing the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to register through a new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Regular readers of MurthyDotCom and the MurthyBulletin will recall a recent discussion of this program from our June 13, 2008 NewsBrief entitled, Enhanced Electronic Security Measure for Visa Waiver Program. At the time of that earlier article, the ESTA system was not operational. It is now available, but remains optional at the time of this writing. The purpose of the program is to determine eligibility for travel under the VWP in advance of the foreign national's arrival in the United States.
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ESTA WebSite Is Now Online
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When the Interim Final Rule was published by the DHS in the Federal Register on June 9, 2008, the ESTA WebSite was not yet operational. This website is now online and available for use by foreign travelers seeking entry to the United States temporarily on the VWP. The ESTA system, while not mandatory at this time, became operational on August 1, 2008.
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Timeframe - Expect Mandatory ESTA in January 2009
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It is anticipated that ESTA will be mandatory by January 12, 2009, as set out in the DHS's Interim Final Rule. Foreign nationals traveling on the VWP between August 1, 2008 and the date when ESTA becomes mandatory may still have to complete the I-94W Form, even if they utilized ESTA. A final regulation published in the Federal Register is expected by November 2008. ESTA will become mandatory 60 days after publication of the final regulation.
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Conclusion
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Indian nationals cannot take advantage of the VWP, but the nationals of many other countries are able to do so. The VWP is an effective tool for encouraging business travel and tourism to the United States and an important component of the strength of the U.S. economy. ESTA is an important change for VWP travelers. The DHS WebSite carries more details on ESTA. We at MurthyDotCom and the MurthyBulletin will continue to update our readers with new developments on ESTA, as they become available.