The introduction of the US’s new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation will be implemented on Monday January 12 as planned.
Under the new system, passengers are required to fill in an online form at least 72 hours before departure. ESTA will replace the current system which sees passengers fill out green homeland security forms once aboard their flights and it is hoped it will cut down on wasted trips for those people refused entry to the US.
US Department of Homeland Security officials admitted late last year that the scheme could be delayed should there not be enough take up in the UK.
However, with as many as 20,000 global applications a day, a third of which come from the UK, a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said ESTA’s introduction is proceeding as planned.
Kudwa added: “Passengers who have not completed (an ESTA) may experience delays in boarding and may be denied entry to the country.”
Kudwa said a press adevertising campaign is being launched later this month to further remind consumers of the changes to US entry regulations.
Agents should recommend their customers fill out the form three days before their departure date in order to ensure the paper work is sorted by the time it comes to go.