Fly to Let owners with properties in the US may be wise to warn their customers that as of 12 January, all visa waiver passengers travelling to America will have to apply for permission three days in advance, according to strict new US border regulations.

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, around 6.5 million British nationals visit the United States each year. The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the USA for up to 90 days without a visa. However, this does not apply to all British passport holders.

From next year, all airlines will be required to comply with the mandatory Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), for all VWP passengers flying into the USA.
This means that all VWP travellers flying to the USA must provide personal information including their name, date of birth, and passport details, as well as travel information such as the flight number and destination address in the USA.

These measures are currently operating on a voluntary registration basis, but will become compulsory on 12 January 2009. They are in addition to Advanced Passenger Information (API), which requires personal information and travel details from the time of booking.

The new ESTA has been introduced in order to allow the Department of Homeland Security to determine whether an individual is eligible to enter the USA before they start their journey.

Travellers who fail to apply for ESTA before they depart are expected to be refused travel and they are advised to apply at least 72 hours in advance.

British Airways Government and Industry Affairs Manager Jim Forster said: “The US is our biggest overseas market.

“We have been working hard to ensure that Visa waiver customers are aware that they must apply to the Department of Homeland Security at least 72 hours in advance of travel.

“The ESTA remains valid for two years. We will be sending reminder messages to customers who have given us their email details to invite them to apply for ESTA.”
Travellers can provide the information online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov or via a local travel agent.

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