ESTA Information USA / Puerto Rico

Transcription

1 ESTA Information USA / Puerto Rico Visa, Entry and Stay Entry without ESTA/Visa Entry with Visa on Arrival Entry with ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) Latest Date of Entry / Validity Duration of Stay with ESTA In these cases an ESTA is not valid - a VISA is required (refer to the visa info sheet) IMPORTANT Not possible Not possible Swiss Citizens may enter the United States/Puerto Rico with an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) if the following conditions are met: - Stay of max. 90 days in USA/Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands (90 days starting from the first entry to the United States/Puerto Rico - a transit stay in the USA on the way to Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands is also considered as "entry") - Stay for leisure or temporary business purpose - Arrival by scheduled flight or cruise boat - Confirmed return ticket (has to get presented upon request) - Biometric passport, valid at least one day longer than the return date - No stay in Syria, Sudan, Iraq or Iran since 1st March Not holding dual nationality involving one of the above countries ESTA has to be obtained also by all transit-passengers (=transit in the USA/Guam). ESTA is valid for 2 years from date of submission. Several entries are permitted within this validity. Max. 90 days per stay Swiss Citizens need a VISA to enter the United States/Puerto Rico if the following conditions are met: - Stay of more than 90 days in USA/Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands (90 days starting from the first entry to the United States/Puerto Rico - a transit stay in the USA on the way to Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands is also considered as "entry") - Intention of working, stay as Au-pair or exchange visitor - Study in the USA/Puerto Rico (if the weekly lessons exceed 17,9 hours) - Arrival by ferry, freight ship or private aeroplane - Arrival overland (from Canada/Mexico) except if an onward air ticket can be presented - Confirmed return ticket (has to get presented upon request) - Non-biometric passport or temporary emergency passport (Notpass) - Stay in Syria, Sudan, Iraq or Iran since 1st March Holding dual nationality involving one of the above countries The US entry regulations are complex with many exceptions. Above information refers to Swiss Citizens only. In case of further questions it is important to contact a Globetrotter branch (or the travel agency were the trip was booked) as soon as possible. ESTA Application in Advance in the Internet You can either obtain the Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) yourself or through the Visa Service of Globetrotter against a fee. Would you like to have your ESTA organised through the specialists at Globetrotter and get it delivered directly to you together with your travel documents? The Globetrotter Visa Service checks all the necessary documents, takes care of the payment of the ESTA/ consular fees, obtains and checks the ESTA authorization. Documents Required for ESTA ESTA Application Form Copy of passport The forms have to be filled in ONLINE. The confirmation page has to be printed. Link: - Very important: Please use this link only! Would you like Globetrotter to take care of your online application? See below - ESTA submission by Globetrotter Visa Service. Copy of passport (original passport must be valid at least one day longer than the return date) Important: The original passport must be signed, not damaged and contain at least 2 empty pages. Departure Ticket Officially, a departure ticket is required Payment of ESTA Fees* Fees must be paid ONLINE by credit card. *Only necessary for self-submitted ESTA applications

2 ESTA Fees / Consular Fees ESTA Fees ESTA fees per person (must be obtained for all travellers incl. children) USD 14.- For Non-Swiss Citizens (including EU citizens) different fees may apply. ESTA Submission / Submission Service Fees Processing Time to Obtain ESTA ESTA must get obtained no less than 72 hours prior to travel (Globetrotter recommends to do it in good time). Most applicants can expect to get an response within minutes of applying. ESTA Submission by Globetrotter Visa Service Please fill in the ESTA Questionnaire and send it signed together with a copy of your passport to the Globetrotter Visa-Service, Postfach, 3001 Bern. Globetrotter takes care of your online application. The ESTA and submission service fees will be invoiced by Globetrotter. No ONLINE payment is required. ESTA submission service fee per person CHF 30.- Self-Submission The form has to be filled in ONLINE. Payment must be made by credit card. We recommend to print the confirmation of the ESTA approval to present at check-in Subject to change

3 Electronic System for Travel Authorization Modernizing the Visa Waiver Program FACT SHEET All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers are required to obtain a travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the U.S. under the VWP. ESTA is accessible online at gov for citizens and eligible nationals of VWP countries. The VWP allows visitors from participating countries to travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. ESTA enhances the security of the VWP and has allowed the U.S. government to expand membership in the program. GENERAL INFORMATION ON ESTA What is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)? ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. Why is a travel authorization via ESTA required for VWP travelers? U.S. legislation required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement an electronic travel authorization system and other measures to enhance the security of the VWP. ESTA adds a layer of security that allows DHS to determine, in advance of travel, whether an individual is eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP and whether such travel poses a law enforcement or security risk. Who needs to submit an ESTA application? All nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the U.S. on a plane or cruise ship for temporary business or pleasure for 90 days or less under the VWP will need authorization via ESTA. If a traveler is planning to transit through the United States en route to another country, an authorization via ESTA is still required. HOW TO APPLY FOR ESTA How do I apply for authorization to travel to the U.S.? To apply for ESTA authorization, please visit Answer all required questions and submit your application for travel authorization. Can I apply for a group of applicants at one time? Yes. You can submit applications for a group of up to 50 individuals at one time. To submit a group application, submit the initial application and prior to paying choose one of the following options: Add New Application or Add Unpaid Application. Then complete each group member s application by entering biographic information and answering all the required questions. Once you submit the entire group, a group identification number is created and sent by to the address provided. You will need the group identification number to access the group applications, check status, view the receipt and/or make payment. What information does a traveler need to complete the travel authorization form? Each application must contain, in English, biographical data including name, birth date and passport information. The applicant must also answer VWP eligibility questions regarding communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, past history of visa revocation or deportation and other questions. In a group application, each traveler is responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of his or her own application. The traveler or applicant will also need credit card information to pay the associated application fees in order to complete the ESTA application. Can someone else apply for me if I don t have access to the Internet? Yes, a friend, relative, travel industry professional or another third party may file an application on your behalf. A third party may also pay the application fees on behalf of the traveler or a group of travelers. However, the traveler is responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of all information submitted on his or her behalf. How far in advance of my trip do I need to apply for travel authorization? Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. We recommend that travel authorization applications be submitted as early as possible, as soon as travel is planned. DHS realizes that not all travel is planned in advance and will accommodate applications for last minute or emergency travel. VWP travelers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for an ESTA. How much time does it take for the system to process my application? Once an individual or group application has been successfully submitted online, in most cases an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel is provided on the ESTA website. There are no confirmations provided. Application status must be verified on the website. What are the possible responses I may receive? Authorization Approved: Travel authorized. Travel Not Authorized: Traveler must obtain a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before traveling to the U.S. Authorization Pending: Traveler will need to check the ESTA website for updates within 72 hours to receive a final response. In most cases, a response is provided within a few minutes. What if an application in a group submission receives a Pending status? Will it delay the processing of the other applications in a group? No. If there is a Pending response for any application in a group, it will not delay the processing of the remaining applications. The receipt will not indicate the total fee amount until all applications return a status of approved or denied. How long is my travel authorization valid? Travel authorizations are generally valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. A visitor may travel to the U.S. repeatedly within the validity period without having to apply for another ESTA authorization. When do I need to reapply for a new ESTA? A new travel authorization via ESTA is required when: The traveler is issued a new passport; The traveler changes his or her name; The traveler changes his or her gender; The traveler s country of citizenship changes; or The circumstances underlying the traveler s previous responses to any of the ESTA application questions requiring a yes or no response have changed. For more information, visit

4 Electronic System for Travel Authorization Modernizing the Visa Waiver Program FACT SHEET ESTA approvals are typically granted for a two year period or until the applicant s passport expires, whichever is sooner. ESTA provides validity dates upon application approval. A traveler must apply for a new ESTA when the prior ESTA approval or passport expires. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted. If I am approved through ESTA to travel to the U.S., does that mean I can enter the country? Not necessarily. Approval only authorizes a traveler to board a plane or ship for travel to the United States without a visa. In all cases, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers make admissibility determinations at ports of entry or preclearance facilities. Do VWP travelers need to bring a paper printout of their ESTA approval to the airport? No. DHS communicates a traveler s ESTA status to the carriers. However, DHS recommends that travelers print out the ESTA application response as a record of their ESTA application number. I forgot my ESTA application number. How can I log back into the system to update my information or check my application status? If a traveler loses, forgets, or does not have access to his or her application number or travel status, he or she may retrieve the application number through the ESTA website by entering the applicant s name, date of birth, passport number and passport issuing country. What if I lose the group identification number? The system allows the applicant to request the group identification number, which is then sent to the address entered when the group was created. ESTA FEE Is there a fee to obtain travel authorization? Yes. There is a $14 U. S. fee. The fee is comprised of two parts: Processing charge All applicants requesting an electronic travel authorization are charged for the processing of each application submitted. The fee is $4. Authorization charge If your application is approved and you receive authorization to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, an additional $10 will be charged to your credit card. If your electronic travel authorization is denied, you are only charged for the processing of your application. CBP is not responsible for any additional fees that may be charged by your credit card company for the transaction. How do I pay for my travel authorization? All payments for ESTA applications must be made by credit card or debit card. The ESTA system currently only accepts the following credit/debit cards: MasterCard, VISA, American Express, JCB Card, Diners Club and Discover. A third party, such as a friend, relative or travel agent may pay the associated fees for an individual or group application. The name on the credit card does not have to match the name of the traveler or group. Applications will not be submitted for processing until all payment information is received. We are continuing to explore other payment options for the future. I have seen other websites offer to apply on my behalf. Will this help me receive my authorization more quickly? No. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA will not expedite approval. Third party websites that provide information about ESTA and submit ESTA applications for VWP travelers are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the U.S. government. If the website does not end in.gov, it is not the official ESTA website. Is this website secure and private? Yes. The website is operated by the U.S. government and employs technology to prevent unauthorized access to the information entered and viewed. Information submitted by applicants through the ESTA website is subject to the same strict controls that have been established for similar traveler screening programs as governed by U.S. laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Federal Information Security Management Act. Access to such information is limited to those with a professional need to know. ESTA AND THE I-94W As a VWP traveler, do I need an ESTA authorization to enter the United States at a land border port of entry? At this time, there is no ESTA requirement to enter the United States via a land border port of entry. As part of the admission process when entering by land, you will be required to complete Form I-94W and pay the associated $6 fee. CBP is currently working towards regulation changes that would implement ESTA requirements at the land border ports of entry in the future. ESTA DENIALS What should I do if I am denied a travel authorization? If an application for travel authorization is denied and the traveler wishes to travel to the United States, he or she will be required to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For more about visa application procedures, please visit What if one or more travelers in a group application are denied travel authorization? The denied application(s) will not affect the status of the other group members. I have a current and valid visa. Must I apply for a travel authorization via ESTA as well? No, individuals who possess a valid visa may travel to the United States with that visa for the purpose it was issued and will not be required to apply for travel authorization through ESTA. n In Brief Who: Citizens and nationals of VWP countries What: Travel authorization to travel to the U.S. under the VWP Where: Why: Modernize and secure the Visa Waiver Program How Much: $4 processing fee, $10 authorization fee For More Information: Waiver of Rights As a condition of each admission into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States shall reaffirm the waiver of any rights to review or appeal of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer s determination as to admissibility, or to contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program. For more information, visit CBP Publication Number Revised 09/12

5 Questionnaire USA / Puerto Rico - ESTA To be completed by the applicant either online (with Adobe Acrobat Reader) or in BLOCK LETTERS. The Electronic Travel Authority (ESTA) will be obtained through Globetrotter Visa-Service. The ESTA will be sent together with your travel documents. Please answer the questions and add a copy of your passport in order for us to obtain your ESTA. All documents must be sent to Globetrotter either by mail or (saved pdf questionnaire, scanned or as a photo file). Thank you! Surname: First name: Other names / aliases: *If YES, note surname + first name: Place of birth: Country of birth: National ID-number*: *This number is ONLY needed from citizens of the following countries: Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden. The National ID-number is usually registered in the passport. Should this not be the case, you need to find out about the National ID-number at the responsible foreign representation. Have you ever been issued a passport or national identity card for travel by any other country: *If YES, issuing country: Document type (passport or national identity card): Document number and year of expiration: Are you now, a citizen or national of any other country: *If YES, note country: How did you acquire citizenship / nationality from this country (by birth / through parents / naturalized / other): Have you ever been a citizen or national of any other country: *If YES, note country: Are you a member of the CBP Global Entry Program? *if YES, note PASSID / Membership Number: Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 1 of 3 Tel Fax visaservice@globetrotter.ch Opening hours: MO FR 13.30h-17.00h

6 Su rname: First name: Fathers full name: Mothers full name: Home address of the applicant: Telephone number + type (home/work/mobile): address: Is your travel to the US occuring in transit to another country (ONLY transit stay in the USA / Puerto Rico): YES Name + address of a current or previous employer*: *(if no employer note whether child, student, independently, housewife/man) Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 2 of 3 Tel Fax visaservice@globetrotter.ch Opening hours: MO FR 13.30h-17.00h

7 Surname: First name: Important: If you are answering one of the following questions with YES, the ESTA application cannot get processed by G lobetrotter. In that case the ESTA application must be done directly by the applicant. Do you have a physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict; or do you currently have any of the following diseases: Chancroid Gonorrhea, Granuloma Inguinale, Leprosy infectious, Lymphogranuloma venereum, Syphilis infectious, Active Tuberculosis: YES Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime that resulted in serious damage to property, or serious harm to another person or government authority: YES Have you ever violated any law related to possessing, using, or distributing illegal drugs: YES Do you seek to engage in or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage, or genocide: YES Have you ever committed fraud or misrepresented yourself or others to obtain, or assist others to obtain, a visa or entry into the USA / Puerto Rico: YES Are you currently seeking employment in the USA / Puerto Rico or were you previously employed in the USA / Puerto Rico without prior permission from the U.S. / Puerto Rico government: YES Have you ever been denied a U.S. / Puerto Rico visa you applied for with your current or previous passport, or have you ever been refused admission to the USA / Puerto Rico or withdrawn your application for admission at a U.S. / Puerto Rico port of entry: YES * If YES, when and where: Have you ever stayed in the USA / Puerto Rico longer than the admission period granted to you by the U.S. / Puerto Rico government YES Have you traveled to, or been present in Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Sudan or Syria on or after March 1, 2011: YES Certification: I, the applicant, hereby certify that I have read, or have had read to me, all the questions and statements on this application and understand all the questions and statements on this application. The answers and information furnished in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief Date: Signature of Applicant*: * i f the form is filled in with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, the sign pdfs function can be used instead of printing and signing the form. Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 3 of 3 Tel Fax visaservice@globetrotter.ch Opening hours: MO FR 13.30h-17.00h

8 ETA/ESTA Submission Order Form Sender: Phone number / for further enquiries: Phone number Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Applicant/s Name / First Name 1 Name / First Name 2 Name / First Name 3 Name / First Name 4 Submit the ETA/ESTA for Destination/Country USA Canada Australia Sri Lanka Date of departure from Switzerland Date of entry at the destination Date of departure from the destination Remarks Globetrotter Order Number* (Refer to Invoice/Confirmation) *Leave empty if you haven't booked through Globetrotter Date Signature* *If the form is filled in with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, the sign pdfs function can be used instead of printing and signing the form. Enclosed: - copy of passport - ETA/ESTA questionnaire completely filled out and signed Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Tel Fax visaservice@globetrotter.ch Opening hours: MO FR 13.30h-17.00h