News
ESTA: Info vs. Intox!
ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization is the new security measure for all travelers using the Visa Waiver Program for short trips (less than 90 days) to the United States.
Last December AmCham Rhône-Alpes and the US Embassy in France organized an information campaign and had the pleasure of organizing two events with Dan Goodspeed, Head of the Visa department at the American Embassy in Paris. You can find further details on his presentations on our website in the article: “ESTA & Visas: Will you be able to go to the United States in 2009?”
We’ve been recently told that illicit websites were taking advantage of the lack of public awareness regarding this new measure to make money illegally.
We would like to remind you that ESTA is a free procedure; it is the computerized version of the VWP procedure. It’s objective is to make sure that airplanes are more secure and terrorism’s opportunities are minimized.
WARNING: Since January 12th of 2009, ESTA is compulsory for every French Citizen flying to the United States without a US Visa.
THE PROCEDURE is divided in two phases:
• Creation of a personal profile on http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov to do as soon as possible or at the latest 72H before your first departure. This profile has to be renewed every two years.
• Update you flight details before each of your trips to the US.
For further information you can go to http://france.usembassy.gov or contact us at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).