Visiting the USA? Important Information for all Travellers

Please be aware that the USA has changed its entry procedures for travellers to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program, and has introduced an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

From 12 January 2009 it will be mandatory for all eligible visitors to apply for a Travel Authorisation. This form will replace the old I-94 system for entry, can be filled in online and no fee is involved.

We recommend you apply for this authorisation at least 72 hours in advance of travel, however applications for last minute or emergency travel will be accommodated.

ESTA is a US Department of Homeland Security initiative and applies to all visitors to the USA who qualify for the US Visa Waiver Programme with machine-readable British passports. You can check the eligibility of your Passport here: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html

For further information on ESTA download our fact sheets: ESTA Fact Sheet 1 - ESTA Fact Sheet 2

Registering with the ESTA programme

If you are travelling to the USA either on or after 12th January 2009, then you may be refused entry if you haven’t registered through ESTA. Registration is relatively straight forward and requires you to individually enter a few personal details regarding everyone in your group as well as details of first night’s accommodation in the States.

After you have booked your travel details to the US, you can register your details through ESTA here:

click here to register through ESTA

Failure to register could result in you being refused travel with Flyglobespan.

Additional Information regarding Entry Requirements into the USA

The ESTA system is in addition to the existing Visa Waiver Programme (VWP – Green Card).

To avoid possible problems when arriving in the USA, please read all the following information carefully to ensure you comply with the revised US entry requirements.

Passports

Travellers to or transiting via the USA must have individual Machine Readable Passports or Biometric Passports. You can check your passport by contacting the UK Passport Office. Families and groups will be required to obtain individual passports for each traveller including all children and infants.

Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)

Holders of Machine Readable or Biometric passports should be able to qualify for travel (for a stay of up to 90 days) without a visa under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). If any member your party has ever been arrested (even if not convicted) or if suffering from a serious communicable disease then you may not qualify under the VWP - visit the US Embassy web site for further details of restrictions.

For passengers holding a non-British Citizen Passport or if you are unsure whether you qualify for travel under the VWP please consult the Identity & Passport Service or US Embassy websites.

For passengers who qualify for travel under the VWP important details regarding obtaining travel authorisation are outlined below.

Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)

The US Department of Homeland Security have introduced an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). It is accessed via the US Embassy website and requires all passengers (including infants) travelling to or via the USA to apply for an ‘authority to travel’ a minimum of 72 hours prior to departure. Running in parallel with the VWP for the latter part of 2008, ESTA will be compulsory with effect from 12th January 2009. You may be denied boarding or refused entry to the US if you have not registered and obtained authorisation using ESTA. To apply for this new travel authorisation, visit the ESTA web site.

The US address information in your ESTA application must be the same as that shown on the documentation you receive from Globespan. If you have booked a flight ticket only or the address of your accommodation is confirmed upon arrival please use our office address as stated on your holiday invoice/tickets. Globespan will be providing accommodation details for all passengers to US Customs and Border Protection for all passengers who are departing to the USA. If there are any differences between the airline’s information compared to what you have submitted with your ESTA application, then you may be denied entry into the USA. Globespan recommend that you include your ESTA approval with the travel documents you carry when you travel. For additional information on travelling to the USA please visit the US Embassy web site.

Remember, you can use ESTA with immediate effect but it is compulsory from 12th January 2009. Globespan recommend that during the transitional phase all passengers complete the VWP Green Card distributed during your flight in addition to the on-line ESTA application.

Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS)

Please be aware that in addition to the ESTA and VWP programmes, which are the responsibility of the passenger to complete, airlines operating to the USA are required to provide the following details to the U.S. Authorities under the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) requirements for all passengers: full name (as shown in your passport), date of birth, passport number, country of residence and the full address of the destination accommodation in the USA. This information may be collected through the reservations system or upon arrival at your airport of departure. It is in addition to the application you must make as part of the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) for authorisation to travel under ESTA (the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) - see previous sections ‘Travel Authorisation (ESTA)’ and ‘Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)’. It is important that the information provided by you for APIS is the same as you have submitted in your ESTA application as any discrepancies may delay or prevent your entry into the USA.