What is the new visa requirements (ESTA) for trips to the USA and how do I get it?
For all departures from 12th Jan 2009 onwards, passport holders from the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, 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 and Switzerland will be required to have an ESTA – electronic system for travel authorisations – issued for their trip into the US. ESTA will replace the paper visa forms currently issued whilst in-flight. To apply for the ESTA please visit to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours prior to your trip. We strongly recommend frequent flyers to the US apply for their ESTA for trips prior to the 12th Jan as well as the authorisation will last for 2 years from the issue date.
