Online application to travel to the USA

[darbo1103]

I think I heard on the BBC news that you have to apply on line to travel to the USA and you have to do it 3 days befor you travel or you won't get on the plane. Does anybody know if this is correct, when it starts and where the website for this is?

[lajohn]

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

[dzug]

Not a helpful link - the answer is buried on a separate page. It starts on 1 August and will probably become mandatory on 12 January 2009.

http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/visanews/inde x.html is what you actually want

I would imagine that in most cases the airline will collect the data when you buy your ticket and that you won't have to do it personally. But ICBW.

[fagidill]

If you are only going for a 2 or 3 wk holiday you do not require a visa , the Airline you are traveling with, will give you a Visa Waive form to fill in.

[Dee Sa]

fagidill
I think you will find the law about waiver forms is about to change, but people are not quite sure when, and yes you will have to submit your details 72 hours before you fly or not fly at all. its supposedly to stop terrorists.
I wonder if the UK will do the same to US tourists entering the UK ?

[chickaroo]

hi i have just had a sneek preview of the ESTA forms you will need to fill in if you are traveling after 9th jan 2009 and says on there that you must fill in the form at LEAST 72hours before you travel it will let you know if you can enter US on a waiver visa if not you can apply for a visa, will be able to enter details in aug so i would do it the sooner the better, if you want to look at it type in US customs and borders in google and then click on ESTA.