New visa waiver online system for travel to US

Anyone planning to travel to the US should be aware that, as from 12 January 2008 the old Visa Waiver forms that you used to fill in on the flight have gone and been replaced by the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). Essentially its an e-version of the old paper form but it now has to be completed online at least 3 days before you intend to travel.

Once approved, you get an authorisation number which is valid for 2 years. Travellers without an approved ESTA are advised that they may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.

You can only apply for travel authorization via the ESTA Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov