Effective January 20, 2010, the US Department of Homeland Security has transitioned to enforced compliance of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirement for travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. VWP travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United States.

Travelers holding passports from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (see below) are encouraged to apply for travel authorization at least 72 hours prior to entering the United States by air or sea.  Responses are generally sent minutes later, but may in some instances take up to 72 hours.  Once complete, the authorization is generally valid for two years and allows multiple visits without the need to reapply.

Countries in the Visa Waiver Program include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

For more information go to the Customs and Border Protection website: www.cbp.gov/esta.