USA travel - registration online Jan 2009 onwards

Greta · 7 June 2008 at 4:02PM

Just a heads up (don't see this posted - sorry if it already has been). From Jan 2009, those travelling to the States on the Visa Waiver Prog, i.e. the method most of us here would travel, will need to register online with the US govt (probably the Dept of Homeland Security) at least 3 days before. This registration will be valid for 2 years.

Apparently more info will be available on Tuesday.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJRg7EWuvrib4IspR8GStqGhkPkAD9128HH80
"Travelers who don't need visas to enter the United States will be required to register online with the U.S. government at least three days before they visit, a security regulation set to begin next year."

And:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Travel/BusinessTravel/story?id=4983622&page=1
"Soon, however, even people in the program will have to submit personal information for a background check before they can board a flight or ship headed for American soil."

Incapuppy · 7 June 2008 at 4:42PM

This has been covered quite extensively in a recent thread but I cannot for the life of me find it.

dzug1 · 7 June 2008 at 4:49PM

What's not clear from anything I've read so far is whether this replaces the form filled in on the plane or is additional to it.

Greta · 7 June 2008 at 7:22PM

Sorry it has been covered before, I went back a few pages and could not see it.

I have some problems with this. E.g. you are required to register online 3 days before travel. What about "emergency" travel. E.g. death in one's family.

Given I have 20 members of family living in the States, I've flown out with less than a 36 hour lead time (this wasn't due to death, but other circumstances which I don't think the US govt would recognise, but it was a circumstance that needed responding to family wise).

Secondly, what about those with no online access. My parents are old and are unlikely to embrace online space ... yet travel to the States (as a family destination, not as a destination out of choice / pick somewhere else for your holiday).

One has to wonder if this is a solution to a non problem, and more to do with assertion of power.

Belnahua · 7 June 2008 at 7:26PM

If the registration is valid for 2 years, why not just register ahead of time?

Everyone had access to online services via their local library; if not they should know someone who can do it for them, if they're booking tickets, then they have access to some way of completing the form?

dzug1 · 7 June 2008 at 8:01PM

If they are booking tickets online, then obviously they have access.

If they are booking it through a travel agent, then the travel agent will do it.

The only problem sounds like short notice travel - which can be got around by registering 'on spec' for anyone who thinks there is a chance they will need it.

Probably leaves very few for whom there is a real problem.

M4RKM · 7 June 2008 at 8:14PM

I think the last thread that was discussing this got deleted, as it contained a lot of wrong information.

I've just been searching for it too, and can't find it either.. Oh well!

And i think I read somewhere that travel agents will register at the time of booking, and once you've registered once, it lasts for 2 years. So, you go on holiday once, then you can make as many last minute trips as you want.

M

hammy_the_hammer · 7 June 2008 at 8:19PM

i don't believe this will be the case . i still think they will want to know where you will be staying for the 1st night on each trip.
the link i supplied on the other thread (which i can't be bothered to dig it out again) answers the question about trips within three days of booking .....the gist was that by getting rid of the 'volume' they'll be able to deal with the last minute one's.
i do not trust the new system and frankly think it will result in far more people having to apply for a visa from the US embassy

M4RKM · 7 June 2008 at 8:21PM

hammy, my thoughts are this is in addition to the I94-W card you fill in on the plane, so your first night stay details will be on that.. maybe..

we'll find out more when it eventually launches...

Greta · 7 June 2008 at 8:31PM

I get the above, however, who says I'm travelling immediately. E.g. this comes into force in Jan 2009, that is not the time I choose to travel to NY or MA (too cold, snow - I've tried it)! Out of choice I will travel during the summer months or autumn, so there's a potential 6-9 month (longer, if you don't travel that year) window / without registration. Yet who says that family circumstances won't require otherwise?

This applies to anyone with ties to the States ... there will be other people out there who won't travel, unless family circumstances necessitate it. I know of people in my family who would not be as organised to get registration in place, as in "in case" for the future. People don't usually plan for "in case my relative dies", etc.

However, one hopes there *is* an option for registering without a ticket, to cover potential emergency situations. Slightly worried ticket purchase might be an obligation; the alternative to pursue a visa / prove your situation is an emergency / sit out 3 days.

I guess the only thing one can do is wait until Tuesday ....

(And I kind of feel a bit miffed that the govt of another country is forcing rules on me / must have my details on a database ....we get enough of that from the UK govt!)

hammy_the_hammer · 7 June 2008 at 8:48PM

oh go on then i've dug it out

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/06032008.xml

and

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/travel/esta_factsheet.xml

hope this helps

please note they don't need to give the reasoning for refusal

USA travel - registration online Jan 2009 onwards

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