U.S. to require Online Registration for visa-free travel

U.S. to require online registration for visa-free travel
By DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press 06/03/08


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States said Tuesday that visitors from closely allied countries like Britain and Japan will soon have to register personal details online at least three days before arrival.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who announced the changes Tuesday, said they will help the United States boost security of its visa-free travel program by allowing the government to screen visitors before they travel. Currently, visitors fill out paper forms on route and are screened by U.S. customs agents upon entry.


The United States will begin implementing the changes in August, Chertoff said. Online registration will be mandatory for all visa-free travel by Jan. 12

There are currently 27 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas for U.S. entry, including those in most of western Europe as well as Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore. Eight other countries — the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Korea among them — are expected to be admitted to the visa waiver program.


When the Homeland Security Department began discussing the online registration rule last year, European businesses worried that business travel could be impeded.


But Chertoff argued the system will simplify visa-free travel, because visitors will only be required to register online once every two years instead of filling out forms each time they travel.