New travel rules in effect for U.S. visitors

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that some visitors will have to register their personal details online before arriving in the U.S. The rules apply to travelers from closely allied countries.

Instead of filling out forms and waiting in line at U.S. Customs, this new online data center – Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) - will help the U.S. better monitor its visa-free travel program by allowing the Government to screen visitors prior to entry, said Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security Secretary. The new changes will begin in August and by mid-January 2009, the Department of Homeland Security says online registration will be mandatory for all visa-free travel.

The visa waiver program allows the citizens of 27 countries access to the U.S. without a visa. These countries are mainly in Western Europe and also include Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore.

According the ESTA rules, visitors on the visa-free travel program to the U.S. will only have to register their information once every two years, instead of filling out forms each time they pass through customs.

© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer