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Visitors To US Now Required To Register Online

Posted by kdawson on from the e-papers-please dept.

mytrip sends a reminder that starting today, visitors to the US from 35 visa-waiver countries will be required to register online with the Department of Homeland Security in advance. The DHS is asking people to go online for the ESTA program 72 hours before traveling, but they can register any amount of time ahead. Approval, once granted, is good for 2 years. DHS says that most applications are approved in 4 seconds. If an application is rejected, the traveler will have to go to a US embassy and get a visa. CNet reports that information from applications will be retained for 12 years, and eventually up to 75 years.

3 of 734 comments (clear)

  1. America, for one, welcomes... by Goffee71 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Johnny Foreigners, as long as they've filled in the right form!

    --
    If he's the Walrus then can I be a penguin please?
  2. Re:Scaring tourists away much? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Canada will deny you entry if you've been convicted of drug possession or DWI -- even if said conviction was a misdemeanor/civil affair if your home country. Why don't I see anybody complaining about that?

    Because nobody cares about Canada.

    Really.

  3. No, you are ok. Code is simple by mrops · · Score: 5, Funny

    Code is simple on the backkend

    boolean reject=false;
    if (name.matches("m(o|u)h(a|u)m{1,2}(a|e)d") {
          reject = true;
    }

    Only thing I can't figure out, why the hell it takes 4 seconds to execute such simple code. Must be perl or java, maybe network latency.