Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom can generally travel to the US without first having to obtain a visa, provided they are coming to the US for business or pleasure and for no longer than 90 days.

Under the new “enhanced security” requirements, these individuals are now required to register in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization and to obtain a travel authorization from the same prior to traveling. This requirement extends to all Visa Waiver travelers, including non-ticketed infants.

In order to register and obtain the travel authorization, the traveler must provide the required biographic and travel information on the secure Web site (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html), and should do so at least 72 hours prior to departure. Once granted travel authorization, the authorization will be valid for two years from the date it was granted, or until the person's passport expires, whichever one occurs first.

In most cases the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will return an Application Status immediately. In cases where more time is needed to determine the status of the application, an answer will be returned within 72 hours.

If travel is not authorized, the traveler will need to obtain a visa from the nearest US Consulate or Embassy issuing non-immigrant visas.

Because some of the required information pertains to the trip to be taken, the traveler will be required to update their information every time they travel.