2008 Programs and Events
Announcement of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ESTA)
ADVISORY STATEMENT
Beginning
January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program
(VWP) countries will be required by law to obtain a travel
authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the
VWP. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic
System for Travel Authorization (ESTA™), a free Internet application
administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a
U.S. government Web site.1
DHS does not charge VWP travelers a
fee for completion of an ESTA™ application. Eligible visitors seeking
to travel to the United States under the VWP may apply for travel
authorization via the ESTA™ Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. VWP
travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have
established Web sites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the
United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA™ and for
submitting ESTA™ applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These
businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or
affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. Again,
the United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain
information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through
the ESTA™ Web site. Use of a private service to apply for travel
authorization via ESTA™ will not expedite the granting of approval.
The
ESTA™ application Web site is available in 16 languages and includes a
help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to
guide them through the application process. Additional information
about ESTA™ may be found at http://www.cbp.gov/esta.
1 The
United States has recently announced plans to expand the VWP, and
beginning November 17, 2008, eligible citizens and nationals from the
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania
and Slovakia will be able to travel to the United States under the VWP
provided they have an e-passport and an approved authorization via
ESTA™.
U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilšu iela 7
Rīga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 67509022
Internet: riga.usembassy.gov
Media specialist’s e-mail: kreilek@state.gov