WARNING!  If you are planning to travel to The United States you will need to apply for a Travel Authorisation form (ESTA) to enter the US (you used to fill in a green 1-94 piece of paper on the plane).  The only way to apply is Online and at least three days before travelling, although they do state on their website that you should expect to receive a response within 72 hours.  If you forget to do this  YOU WILL be turned away at US immigration.

The rules only recently changed on January 12^th 2009.

The application form is available on the ESTA website.  Even if you are only thinking you might visit America some time in the future, it’s worth filling in the application and especially before buying tickets or booking accommodation… just on the off chance you’re rejected and can’t get a refund on your flight/hotel.  

The application lasts for two years (or until your passport expires).  Once the ESTA is out of date you simply reapply. 

Please be aware that it is FREE to apply for the travel authorization but some places on the internet will try to charge you.  When I first heard about this I googled Travel Authorization and found quite a few websites that wanted to charge me £25 or more. For a family of four this could work out very expensive.

It only takes about 5 minutes to apply, although as I said previously, it can only be done over the internet, so if you do not have internet you will have to ask to use a friends computer or visit a local library that has internet access.  You will also need an email address as you will be informed of the decision by email and usually within 72 hours.

The type of information you will be asked is:

Date of birth

Country of Citizenship

Country where you live

Email address

Family name

First (given) name

Sex

Telephone number inc country code

Passport information

Passport Expiration date

Passport Issue date

Passport issuing country

Passport number

Travel Information

The travel information is optional and not required to complete the application but if you do have it you are asked to fill in:

Airline carrier code,

Flight number

City where you are boarding

Then the following questions

Do you have a communicable disease;

Physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict?  (further questions are asked if you tick yes to any of these).  Under United States law persons may not be admissible if they have been determined to be a drug abuser or drug addict.

Are you seeking to work in the US or have you ever been excluded and deported or previously been removed from the United States?

Have you ever detained, retained or withheld custody of a child from a U.S. citizen granted custody of the child?

Have you ever asserted immunity from prosecution.

If you obtain a new passport or there is a change in your passport information, you must apply for a new travel authorization.

Information you can update without applying for a new travel authorization is: email address, telephone number, airline and flight number, city where you are boarding, address while in the United States.

If you are not approved for a travel authorization but wish to continue with your travel plans, you need to visit the United states Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa.