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U.S. Embassy PARAMARIBO briefs travel industry partners on Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

Electronic System for Travel Authorization Embassy officials met recently with its travel industry partners and Diplomatic Corps colleagues to explain the United States’ new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).  

ESTA serves to close security gaps within the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and therefore affects French, Dutch, and other VWP-country passport holders, resident in Suriname and French Guiana, who travel to the United States under the VWP.   The VWP enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.  The program does not affect individuals traveling on Surinamese passports.  Surinamers traveling on Surinamese passports are still required to obtain visas for traveling to the United States.

 

Background

As of January 12, 2009, ESTA became mandatory for all qualified VWP travelers entering the United States on or after that date.  ESTA is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP.  It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers currently fill out en route to the United States.  ESTA applications may be completed online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and applications are available in 16 languages, including Dutch and French.  ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel.  An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States.  The Department of Homeland Security recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans.  ESTA applies only to those VWP travelers entering the United States by air or sea; travelers entering by land either from Canada or Mexico are not required to register before traveling.  An ESTA travel authorization does not guarantee entry into the United States; that decision remains with immigration officials at the Port of Entry.