Citizens of Finland visiting to the United States on the Visa Waiver Programme will need to acquire an electronic travel authorisation before travel as of January next year.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will apply to citizens of those countries for whom travel to the USA is possible without visas. Such countries include all old EU member states except for Greece.
The new system was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Tuesday.
The US Department of Homeland Security recommends that the travellers apply for the authorisation at least 72 hours before leaving home.
Applications can be made either on a US government website, or through a travel agency. If authorisation is not granted, the traveller will need to apply for a visa.
The new system is aimed at enhancing security.
Applicants for ESTA are asked the same questions that visa waiver travellers have had to fill in on their paper applications. The paper form will be abolished in January.
Travellers will also be asked to give their contact information. Detailed travel itineraries will not be required.
Although the system does not become mandatory before January, applications can be made already in August.
No price has been yet set for ESTA. The authorisation will be valid for two years, or as long as the applicant’s passport remains in force, whichever comes first.
