Main features of these arrangements are as follows –

Application can be made online from 1 August at http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Information required will include the following –
· Name
· Date of Birth
· Passport information
· Flight Number (which we understand can be added at a later date)
· Destination address (which we understand can be added at a later date)
· Communicable diseases
· Arrests and convictions
· Past visa history

Result of application will be 1) Authorised or 2) Pending (response available within 72hrs) or 3) Not Authorised (in which case the applicant will need to apply for a US Visa, which can be a lengthy procedure).

Once an application is approved, it is valid for 2 years or until the expiry date of the applicant’s passport, whichever is sooner.

Full details about ESTA can be found at
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1212498186436.shtm

_________________________

My past visa history is none of your goddamn business.

I will wait until I know for sure that this is just replacing the silly paper that we get today before I make up my mind about this.

This would indicate it's just a replacement for the paper.

This too:

link

That is different language to the earlier announcement and implies there may be a considerable period when both I94W and the ESTA have to be completed Any bets on how long it takes some tinpot airline to comply?

They already do screen VWP pax through the APIS data prior to arrival in USA (actually prior to departure from previous country visited).

So the reason for ESTA is to provide certainty to VWP pax who might otherwise arrive at USA and be denied, is just hot air.

So we have to update for every flight number and address for every visit? Sometimes that info is not known 72 hours in advance.

LOL - so just how many terrorists have exploited VWP to cause serious damage, injury, or death in the United States that would have been admitted under current rules and not admitted under this proposal?

So extra info can easily be added to I-94W before these are phased out and can still say the ESTA has not added to the data required of visitors

So reduced visitor numbers due to the new rules, and the reduced spend / R&D / etc is not an impact?

There's several pages outlining their estimate of the costs and "benefits" of ESTA. The methodology used is very flawed.

The Secretary of Homeland Security is anticipated to publish a notice in the Federal Register by mid-November 2008, announcing implementation of mandatory ESTA requirements on Jan. 12, 2009.

And just when does Mr Bush leave office?

I swear, we really pissed our pants after 9/11. I never imagined we'd be so scared for so long.

"Welcome to the United States.....the deportation line is to the left, secondary interrogation is to the right. Enjoy your stay then please go the hell home. NEXT!"

How does this compare to the Australian electronic visa stuff?

Basic passport info stuff no more than can be scanned on the machine-reabable code. Name, DoD, citizenship, passport no. and expiration.

So they don't ask where you are staying and what your visa history is-- but they do make you pay $$, right?

This whole ESTA thing seems so stupid to me because we have demonstrated such an inability to use in a useful manner any watchlist that we might have.

And as far as past visa history, they should know that already, they shouldn't have to ask! (Unless they mean non-US visa history, too).

Isn't the point of the Visa Wavier Program that you don't need a Visa?

Isn't this ESTA just a different way of forcing someone to get a Visa?

Except for the pay money part, I believe you are correct.

It was my belief that the vendors that facilitate applying for the ETA collect are the ones who retain the amount charged (if any money is charged to a visitor) while the Australian government itself doesn't directly see most (or all???) of the money being paid for ETA filings.

Let's see if/how soon the government tries to make the ESTA a fee-required system. I am sure the USG would love to collect the credit card numbers affiliated to even more foreigners than is already in the possession of the government.

There are plenty of ways to get Australian evisa for free.

Correct. The change means all the non-american false positives have to get visas to go to USA (even if only in transit) in addition to the harrassssment they get while in USA.

Yes and yes, ESTA is visa by another name.

For most non-americans visiting USA they already have our credit card info thanks to APIS

We are Australians going to the US for a holiday in September. I have dual citizenship - will use the US passport to go to and from USA and ditto with Australian Passport. Husband is Australian. We know there is a Visa Waiver Scheme so had not planned to get a visa. Now not so sure. Should he fill in the E form after August 1 or should he get a visa or should he do both or should we just go ahead and go without, assuming he will be accepted because of the visa waiver scheme. He would certainly be passed if applying for a visa. I'll need to know what to do soon as the weeks are ticking by.