Cheapflights.co.uk understands that the new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) online registration which came into force on 12 January 2009 has had 450,000 successful applications processed as at that date. Currently about 30,000 UK citizens are signing up per day according to Embassy sources.

All nationals and citizens of the 35 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries - including the UK - are now required by law to get travel authorisation prior to boarding the airplane.  It’s strongly recommended - but not required - that travellers apply for ESTA approval at least 72 hours before departure.  The U.S. Government does not charge a fee for ESTA.  There are media reports that airlines are allowing passengers to board for the US without an ESTA and supplying the old I-94W Immigration Forms to passengers.  However, travellers should not count on this and ensure they have the new ESTA BEFORE they travel.

The US Embassy has also announced that the new system does not recognise post-dated passports: In a statement the Embassy states: “Travellers engaged to be married and planning to use a post-dated passport with a new surname to travel to America for their honeymoon should be aware of changes in travel procedures that could affect their trip."

The Embassy is seeing a small number of women traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) who are trying to use post-dated passports when applying for the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), now required before departure to the U.S.  These passports include the new married name of the traveller but don’t become valid until after the date of marriage.

”Travellers must enter onto the ESTA on-line form numbers of passports that are currently valid.  Post-dated passports may not be used.  Therefore, travellers can apply for the ESTA only when the post-dated passport becomes valid.  While ESTA can accommodate last-minute applications, honeymooners may want to consider obtaining a new passport in their married name after their trip.”

Cheapflights.co.uk’s General Manager, Francesca Ecsery commented: “Cheapflights advises that if you suddenly have to travel to the USA it is possible to obtain an ESTA after the suggested 72 hour period beforehand.  However, there is always the tiny percentage possibility that the ESTA might not be successful - leaving the application to the last minute is not therefore advised.  For the same reason, UK travelers entitled to a visa waiver who do not have home or work internet access should ensure that they get their travel agent, airline or relative/neighbour to help them obtain the ESTA well before they travel.

While this can be done at the airport since authorisation takes only four seconds to achieve once the online application has been filled in correctly, a small proportion can be rejected. Don’t risk it! The authorisation is valid for two years so doing your ESTA well in advance makes sense!"