ESTA is a new electronic system implemented to collect and maintain a record of visitors who want to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”).
“Rather than relying on paper-based procedures, this system will leverage 21st century electronic means to obtain basic information about who is traveling to the U.S.without a visa,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
“Getting this information in advance enables our front-line personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveler presents a threat, before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores. It is a relatively
simple and effective way to strengthen our security, and that of international travelers, while helping to preserve an important program for key allies.”
Visa Waiver applicants will not be able to enter the U.S. without an ESTA beginning January 12th, 2009.
Several questions addressed by the DHS FAQ are
If you would like to read the ESTA FAQ from DHS, you can review it on the CIS website located at www.uscis.gov.
On August 1st, 2008, DHS will begin to accept voluntary applications through the ESTA website located at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Until ESTA is mandatory for all VWP travelers, ESTA applicants will need to complete an I-94W Form en-route (for presentation at a U.S.Port-of-Entry).
For more information about ESTA, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
About Nachman & Associates, P.C.
Nachman & Associates, P.C. provides Global Immigration Law Services for large and small businesses, universities, and health care institutions. Our immigration lawyers and staff members are respected for setting high standards through their day-to-day work with clients throughout the United States and abroad. Our firm provides not only “hard” business immigration legal services, but also “soft” services
to make employee transfers successful, such as: assistance and attendance at the port-of-entry for foreign nationals; step-by-step assistance with consular processing abroad; assistance for HR professionals in connection with the implementation of employment verification programs or Form I-9 audits; assistance for immigrants and their family members with social security cards, driver’s licenses, and other transfer and relocation issues; and on-site seminars and free monthly business immigration E-zines that report on current immigration topics.
Website: http://www.visaserve.com
Nachman & Associates, P.C.
David H. Nachman
Managing Attorney
email: [email protected]
phone: 201-670-0006 (x100)
Nachman & Associates, P.C.
Gina Giambalvo
Communications Manager
email: [email protected]
phone: 201-670-0006 (x110)