The requirements under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for travelers from visa waiver countries entering the United States went into effect Jan 20, 2010. Beginning March 20, after a 60-day transition period, the DHS will start fining airlines that board a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) traveler without an ESTA.

ESTA

The U.S. Travel Association says that this could result in thousands of travelers who pose no security risk being denied boarding on U.S.-bound flights by airlines, starting today.

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, points out that it is common sense to couple mandatory compliance with a substantial effort to register all travelers.  He says “If we don’t, we risk $5 billion in losses at a time when our economy can least afford it by senselessly denying entry to travelers that wish us no harm.”

In 2008, the U.S. welcomed 17 million arrivals from VWP countries that do not need a visa for short-term travel to the United States.  Based on this data and an ESTA compliance rate reported at 91 percent in late 2009, U.S. Travel estimates that after the 60-day grace period, more than 2,200 international travelers could be denied boarding each day. 

By not aggressively working to enroll more travelers in the ESTA program, the U.S. government would neglect 67,000 travelers each month.  This means an average cost to the United States economy of $13.2 million and 132 jobs each day. 

USTA’s suggestions for ramping up enrollments include a demand for funds to provide alternative enrollment mechanisms, including internet kiosks near ticket check-in at international airport terminals and at arrival areas of U.S. port of entries that enable travelers to comply with ESTA requirements.

They also say the DHS should allow VWP travelers without an ESTA a one-time waiver to board U.S.-bound flights, so long as they clear the necessary security and background checks, and agree to to complete the ESTA upon arrival within the immigration processing area.

Reasonable suggestions, and the way things stand now, if these suggestions are not taken note of, travel to the United States just got a whole lot more worse than it already was.

For more details about ESTA, visit www.cbp.gov/ESTA.

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