The program, which allows travelers from 41 countries visa-free entry to the United States for brief stays, is currently undergoing a fundamental overhaul.
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Customs and Border Protection has proposed changes to the ESTA application for the Visa Waiver Program that can soon go into effect and will impact travel. ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
The ESTA authorization – an automatic system for determining the eligibility of tourists traveling to the United States – is the best and fastest entry authorization for travelers who want to enter the US territory with out a visa.
As published within the Federal Register on April 30, Customs and Border Protection intends to accomplish that Update the ESTA application website to require applicants to supply a ‘selfie’ of their face along with the standard photograph on the biographical page of the passport.
What in regards to the selfie requirement to enter the USA?
The selfie photos can be used to be certain that the applicant is the legal holder of the document used to acquire an ESTA travel authorization, authorities said.
According to the proposal, which will probably be open for public comment over the following 30 days, applicants have previously been capable of appoint a 3rd party to submit the ESTA application on their behalf. However, with this update, travel agents or members of the family would now be required to supply a photograph of the ESTA applicant.
“The ESTA Mobile application currently requires applicants to take a live photo of their face, which will be compared to the passport photo taken during the ESTA Mobile application process,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a press release. “This change will better align the application processes and requirements of the ESTA website and ESTA Mobile applicants.”
The The CBP notification told the general public should submit their comments by May thirtieth at the most recent.
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