Following amendments to the US's Visa Waiver program, all tourists or business visitors to the United States from Visa Waiver countries are now required to apply for approval from the Electronic System for Authorisation of Travel (ESTA) prior to travel. The new system came into effect yesterday, 12 January 2009. From now on, anyone without an ESTA approval will not be allowed to enter the US.
The application can be made from the website below; successful applicants should receive authorisation within 72 hours, and the approval will remain valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever is first . . .
(Lee Baldock)
