Online registration for U.S. travel begins in ’09

[unhappycamper]

Online registration for U.S. travel begins in ’09
By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, June 6, 2008

TOKYO — Starting next year, all visitors to the United States from visa-waiver countries must get online approval before traveling to America for tourism or business, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The new program, called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, will collect information similar to what travelers currently write by hand on entry forms while en route to the United States, according to Raymond R. Baca, the counsel general for the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.

Beginning Jan. 12, travelers from countries such as Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom must fill out an online application before starting their trips, Baca said Thursday during a news briefing at the embassy.

"It will just be done electronically and before they board the plane," Baca said.

Baca said the new system is meant to strengthen security at entry points, while guaranteeing easy travel for legitimate visitors.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55356