Visitors To US Now Required To Register Online

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.

Comments

Re:Cue the "I'm not going now" comments...

[bdraschk]

Multiple speeling error's detected.

When I came to this country in the early 1970's it was required that we get visa's and passport's, present them at the U.S. border, fill out extensive form's documenting our stay etc.

Their, fixed that for you.

Re:Herd instict

[Computershack]

Yeah, but that's because Canada is America without the shit bits so it's not a surprise you want to go. For most people who can afford to travel, visiting the US is going somewhere worse than where they came from in virtually every sense so if there's too much hassle, they'll just avoid it and go elsewhere.