圣诞节长假期前夕，美国国土安全部近日修改旅客及商务人士往美国的签证规定，要求旅客需在持有效旅游授权电子系统登记下才能获免签证，否则将会被拒入境。
东网报道，美国政府一直建议旅客在入境前三天在网上办好电子授权登记，一般而言网上申请均可即时签发，部分旅客甚至可在抵达美国机场时即时申请。不过，美国国土安全部官方网站日前更新，称所有入境美国的旅客都要在72小时前取得电子授权签证。
美国国土安全部同时警告，即使持有电子授权签证，也不一定保证能够入境。旅客仍需要经过海关人员的检查，而在圣诞节期间到访的旅客，亦要准备面对更严格的安检程序。当局估计，今年12月19日至明年1月5日期间，全球会有4100万旅客进出美国边境，较去年同期增加6%。
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), consistent with existing requirements, reminds international travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for travel to the United States to apply as soon as possible but not less than 72 hours before their international flight is scheduled to depart.
Visa Waiver Program users are encouraged to apply early.Due to changes in ESTA application processing, real-time approvals will no longer be available. Citizens of participating Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries traveling to the United States are strongly encouraged to apply for an ESTA at the time of booking their trip and no later than 72 hours prior to departure. Applicants who apply on the same day of their flight’s departure risk not having an approved ESTA prior to their scheduled departure. International travelers without an approved ESTA will not be authorized to board their flight.
ESTA is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risks. Upon completion of an ESTA application, travelers are notified of their eligibility to travel to the United States under the VWP.
“Since its implementation in 2007, ESTA has counterbalanced vulnerabilities inherent in visa-free travel by adding a layer of advance scrutiny that enables our officers to focus on the small population of potentially dangerous travelers,” said Todd Owen, CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations.
Recent enhancements to the ESTA process make querying application status much smoother. Upon successful submission, the applicant is provide an email containing their application number and a link taking them directly to the ESTA web page.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less for business or pleasure when they meet all requirements. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the VWP and is required for all VWP applicants in the air and sea environment.
ESTA was one of the measures under the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The electronic travel authorization system was designed to enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program by evaluating a traveler’s eligibility prior to their boarding a U.S. bound flight.
For detailed information on VWP/ESTA, please visit the CBP site at: cbp.gov/esta, or, the U.S. State Department travel site. To avoid third-party fees, CBP encourages travelers to apply use the official ESTA website.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.