We still fear an attempt by the British to install George III as king.

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Yes, many continentals can travel to the US now as well without visas, but they must have biometric passports. Not sure if the Brits need them as well but honestly… must they make everything so difficult?

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I clicked through to a link – did they really just say “we’re going to scan your computer now and bugger to your rights”?

Anyway, I know that Australia has a similar system (at least for visiting Germans and numerous other countries) but that really just consists of your flight, your name, your passport number. Plus it’s an easy online registration (or your travel agent does it automatically) and they don’t try and invade your computer (or at least they don’t announce it).

I’ve been to the States four times since Sept 11 and every time I’ve been singled out for the extra special pat down. Right now I’m in the frame of mind of ‘ you know there are so many other really interesting places in the world that if you want to treat me suspiciously then I don’t really have to put myself through it. I got other places to go.’

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Darren

Travel Agents are getting trained to deal with this system. However the information is down to the traveler to check. America is not the only country doing this and soon will be very common.

This system also has an advantage, it basically checks against a list of people that would have been rejected on entry anyway. (So instead of arriving and being placed on a plane to return, you know in advance.) Very few people will get rejected in %. It is a lot better than getting a visa.

Also note for those travelling to the UK we are bringing in a similar system as is the EU. (Details already need to be provided by British passport holders to travel to Spain).

Australia also already has an electronic validation system.

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How come the US spends millions and millions on getting tourists to go there, and then make it difficult to enter through immigrations? This ‘theater of security’ is really quite counter-productive so far.

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I’ve just done my ESTA (and my wife’s) on line at the US embassy web site. Free. It took 5 minutes and they only ask the same questions that are on the I94(w) – the green form – no new questions – nothing intrusive.

There’s the usual rip off artists charging for the job – but they don’t do anything that you can’t do on the official web site.

The ESTA can be printed out, and it’s good for 2 years.

Currently we see massive lines at US immigration – so if the ESTA system speeds up the process, then that can’t be at all bad. And if eventually it stops the need to fill out the I94(w) then that makes it easier for us all.

If you haven’t got a computer, then maybe there’s a problem – maybe travel agents will help – but then again, if you haven’t got a computer, you can’t be discussing it here!!!!

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@ Andrew. Just remember not to keep your ESTA in your Wallet

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Hi Darren

I recently added some advice on this on my blog. I am registered with the Visit USA association who help with advice to travel agents, and the information is courtesy of them.

The task is not onerous, and as Andrew states the information is the same as the current green I94 form. But people should be reminded that this is not a visa to enter the US, and as such does not guarantee entry. And advice is free, no way should anyone be paying for this information.

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Darren

Only problem we had was Australia where a customer had same name, month and year of birth as someone on the watch list. But the Australian High Commission sorted this out very quickly.

The only other problems I know about personally is people using the British system (for entry into the UK) which can be a pain if your born in one country but national of another or hold dual nationality.

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Darren

The thing about these pre-clearance systems is they tell you in advance if you’re allowed in the country (rather than the 1000′s of people that used to be refused entry when they arrived because they did not qualify). They also generally only ask the same questions that you filled in on paper forms anyway. So in this modern age when we talking about switching from paper to computer this again wins. So maybe the title should be United States makes it easier for travelers?

In fact, I find it hard to see the bad points of these systems compared to the paper systems, can you?

For reference only Australia ETA’s come with a fee, all others should be free.
(Jargon buster ETA = Electronic Travel Authority)

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Does this basically mean that you should check before booking a holiday to the US? I would imagine this will create a downturn in online bookings, and possibly an increase in people going to retail agents?

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Travellers should always remember that possession of a visa is NO guarantee of entry as most immigration officials have the discretionary authority to override a visa.

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Darren, I can’t help but agree with Nick. I am a US green card holder who requires a visa to visit the UK. This used to be a straightforward simple process which has now been changed to include biometrics etc as a result the process has been outsourced to an agency. To cut a long story short, I need to come to the UK quite often as my elderly ma in law lives in London. I try and keep my visa current as I often have to fly in on a short notice. I recently applied to renew my long term visa which now is a pricey $340.Well I recently received my passport with only a six month entry! I was shocked to say the least as an ordinary six month only costs $100 and here I had paid $340! Needless to say you cant question the decision and there is no chance of a refund. I am so gutted and upset but have no choice but to abide by the decision. In a soft economy like this the price of my trip to London just went up exponentially. Most people have no clue of how difficult it is to travel when you need to have a visa for everywhere.

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i have 5years on my old style passport left to run and i have been told that i can only get into the usa if i have a chip in my passport

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