Posted on February 7, 2009 by Hector Chichoni

ESTA Becomes Effective For VWP Travelers

Effective January 12, 2009, all foreign nationals traveling to the US under the Visa Waiver Program ("VWP") must comply with Electronic System for Travel Authorization ("ESTA") requirements. ESTA is a web-based system that determines the preliminary eligibility of individuals to enter the United States. Since its launch in August 2008, more than 1.2 million ESTA applications have been processed, resulting in an approval rating of greater than 99.6 percent. Most applications are processed in seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ("DHS").

Foreign nationals citizens of VWP countries, who are seeking entry to the U.S. with a visa instead of under the VWP, do not need to use ESTA. While an ESTA approval is required before a VWP traveler can board an international carrier bound for the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol ("CBP") may still deny entry to a VWP traveler.

The citizens of countries currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

 

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Posted on October 3, 2008 by Hector Chichoni

U.S. Customs Border Protection's Global Entry Kiosks Now Available at LAX, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta

U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") announced on Thursday, October 2, 2008 that Global Entry kiosks are now available at four additional international U.S. airports. CBP is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of U.S. borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is also charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
CBP's release states as follows:

"Approved members returning to the U.S. use the Global Entry kiosk as an alternative to the regular passport control line. At the kiosk, Global Entry members will activate the system by inserting their passport or U.S. permanent resident card into a document reader. The kiosk will direct travelers to provide digital fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with the fingerprints on file.Global Entry travelers will be prompted to answer declaration related questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen. A transaction receipt will be issued upon completion that must be presented to CBP officers prior to leaving the inspection area. The program’s expansion to Los Angeles International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Chicago O’Hare International and Miami International airports was announced on August 12. The enrollment centers at these sites are expected to open later this month. Global Entry applicants will be able to complete their interview and biometric data collection at these sites. Global Entry kiosks also will be installed at additional terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport October 17. The Global Entry pilot program began June 6 at JFK International, George Bush Intercontinental and Washington Dulles International airports. To date, approximately 3,500 members have already enrolled and over 1,100 Global Entry members have used kiosks at the three existing pilot locations. Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. For more information on CBP trusted traveler programs, or for an application to enroll in the Global Entry pilot program, please the globalentry.gov Web site. ( Global Entry Program – Applications Are Available Now! )."

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