Travel to the United States: New Requirements
Monday, 22/12/08
The United States has introduced a new electronic visa waiver system that will come into force on 12 January 2009. From this date, all New Zealanders planning to travel to the United States for less than 90 days for business or tourism without a visa will be required to obtain an on-line travel authorisation before they go.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a web-based automatic question and answer system that can determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme. All nationals or citizens from Visa Waiver Programme countries, including New Zealand, will need an ESTA travel authorisation from 12 January before they board a plane or cruise ship destined for the United States.
For further information about the new travel authorisation for the United States see
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov (External link).
Follow the instructions to submit an on-line application for an automatic travel authorisation. If the application fails, travellers will need to contact their nearest US office to obtain a visa.