Electronic Pre-Registration for Visa Waiver Travelers Coming Soon

The Department of Homeland Security has announced an Interim Final Rule which creates a new online system which is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  The new online system will require all nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to come to the United States under the VWP to register their travel in advance and obtain pre-authorization of their entry into the U.S.    The system will go into effect on August 1, 2008 and will be optional until the rule is published in the Federal Register, which is expected in January 2009.

To apply for authorization to travel to the U.S., VWP travelers will log-in to a web-based system and complete an application providing certain personal and eligibility information which is currently required on the I-94W form filled out by VWP travelers upon entry into the U.S.   The applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States and DHS encourages travelers to do so as soon as their travel plans are made.  The system will allow modification of travel plans and other information.

Once the application is completed, the information will be compared to various law enforcement databases and an instant response will be provided to the applicant.  The possible responses are: Authorization Approved, Travel Not Authorized, or Authorization Pending.  An Authorization Approved is valid for up to two years or until passport expiration, whichever is earlier, is valid for multiple entries to the U.S., and is not a guarantee for admission to the U.S.

According to DHS, once the program becomes mandatory (expected January 2009), VWP travelers who fail to complete the pre-travel authorization may be denied boarding on the airplane or may be turned at the U.S. port of entry.