New US entry rules launched without problems

Concerns that the new online registration system for entry to the US would cause chaos on Monday at UK airports were largely unfounded as transatlantic flights took off without any significant incidents reported.

America’s new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) involves an online form which has to be completed by UK travellers 72 hours or more before their scheduled flight. The requirement became mandatory on Monday, and applies to nationals of all countries participating in the US visa waiver programme.

The Foreign Office warned travellers last week that anyone who had not been cleared through the online registration system could be turned away by immigration officials in the US. It seems that a grace period has been granted by US officials, however.

British Airways staff reported from Heathrow that no passengers arrived for US flights without the necessary ESTA approval, but added that if they had arrived and were unaware of the new requirement they would still be able to board their flight.

“If anyone arrives unaware of the new system, they can still fill in the old green I-94W forms during this transition stage,” a spokeswoman for BA said. “But there have been no problems.”

The Heathrow Terminal 5 duty manager confirmed that no passengers had been denied boarding.

Travelsupermarket.com, the online comparison website, conducted a survey that found 57 per cent of UK travellers were not aware of the change in entry requirements for the US.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

cbp.gov/esta