Voor mensen die reisplannen hebben of aan het maken zijn om naar de VS te gaan, gelieve volgende extra maatregelen even door te lezen aangezien er vanaf 3 november extra maatregelen van kracht zijn!
Transportation: US government introduces extra requirements for Electronic System for Travel Authorization for US-bound travelers in Visa Waiver Program beginning Nov. 3.
- This alert affects Georgia - Atlanta; Illinois - Chicago; California - Los Angeles; District of Columbia - Washington, DC; Texas - Dallas-Fort Worth; New York - New York City; California - San Francisco; Washington - Seattle; New Jersey - Newark
- This alert began 2014-11-03 00:00:00 and is scheduled to expire 2014-11-03 00:00:00.
Summary
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced extra requirements for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) beginning Nov. 3. The requirements consist of answering seven additional questions when filling out the ESTA form, such as other names or aliases, other citizenships, and US contact information. ESTA applications can be completed electronically from the DHS website and usually are approved in several minutes. Travelers with existing ESTA authorizations must update their information by answering the additional questions in order to maintain an active ESTA.
Background and Analysis
The enhanced screening measure is unlikely to have a significant effect on flights or airport operations. ESTA authorization has been mandatory since 2009 for US-bound travelers using a passport from a country within the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). ESTA authorization is valid for two years or until a traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers with existing ESTA authorizations, however, must update their information by answering the additional questions in order to maintain an active ESTA. Airlines are not permitted to allow a passenger from a VWP country to board a US-bound flight without a valid ESTA. Travelers who are required to obtain a visa prior to travel to the US are not affected by this enhanced screening. Likewise, US citizens or residents returning from abroad are not affected.
US officials say the measure will allow the DHS to monitor data for all travelers, not only those who require visas to enter. Answering the additional questions does not ensure entry to the US, but rather offers the DHS more information on inbound travelers. Some officials have cited the threat from militant groups, such as the Islamic State (IS), as the catalyst for this enhanced screening, as a small percentage of IS members hold passports from countries in the VWP, which minimizes the DHS' ability to monitor entry to the US.
Resource
US Customs and Border Protection website for application or renewal of ESTA:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/estaKlik om te vergroten...
