Just been emailed this info from my mother-in-law in the States :
"A new US law will require visitors who can travel to the University States without visas to register biographical details online at least three days before their visit. The new rule will affect travelers from 27 countries, including most of Western Europe and japan. It takes effect in August and will be mandatory for all visa-free travel by Jan 12. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says the changes will allow the US to screen visitors before they travel. Those needing to register will be travelers from the 27 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas for US entry. Besides most of Western Europe, that includes Australia, Brunei, japan, New Zealand and Singapore. Eight other countries--the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Korea among them--are expected to be admitted to the visa waiver program."
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U.S. visitor visa regulations new for 2009 (ESTA)
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I think you meant "United States", not "University States."
Yup, it's true:
If you register online, you won't have to fill out the entry forms in the plane on the way over. No word on what happens if you book a flight less than three days before travel, after the program becomes mandatory.
As I see it, this is US Immigration making you do (what used to be) their jobs for them. You're electronically entering your own information into their databases so they don't have to. This is part of their answer to the backlog of immigration data since they started to collect more information from travellers after 2001.
Yup, it's true:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that, beginning on a voluntary basis in August 2008, travelers using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may provide certain information electronically before traveling to the United States. The system does not affect those travelers who have obtained a valid visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.
Currently, citizens of VWP countries complete a written form providing basic biographic, travel, and eligibility information while en route to the U.S. Under the electronic system, VWP travelers would provide this information online prior to their departure for the United States.
Once the electronic system becomes mandatory, likely in January 2009, all travelers entering the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship.
The Government of Australia has a similar program, called the Electronic Travel Authority.
(From US Consular Services in Australia.)Currently, citizens of VWP countries complete a written form providing basic biographic, travel, and eligibility information while en route to the U.S. Under the electronic system, VWP travelers would provide this information online prior to their departure for the United States.
Once the electronic system becomes mandatory, likely in January 2009, all travelers entering the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship.
The Government of Australia has a similar program, called the Electronic Travel Authority.
If you register online, you won't have to fill out the entry forms in the plane on the way over. No word on what happens if you book a flight less than three days before travel, after the program becomes mandatory.
As I see it, this is US Immigration making you do (what used to be) their jobs for them. You're electronically entering your own information into their databases so they don't have to. This is part of their answer to the backlog of immigration data since they started to collect more information from travellers after 2001.
Even if you fill out the info online, they will still run your passport thru the computer and enter your info. that way.
They will also still be taking iris scans and fingerprints upon arrival. The air carrier will still be required to forward
your detail in advance of your arrival. This is thus another stupid plan to keep up the illusion of security in the US.
You will also have to fill in the form on the plane, as one or them is for Immigration the other Customs..
This policy may cover the Immigration card, but not the customs declaration.
If you thought this was bad, have a read of the below stories.
FBI's New Eye Scan Database Raising Eyebrows
US To Get EU Private Citizen Data
They will also still be taking iris scans and fingerprints upon arrival. The air carrier will still be required to forward
your detail in advance of your arrival. This is thus another stupid plan to keep up the illusion of security in the US.
You will also have to fill in the form on the plane, as one or them is for Immigration the other Customs..
This policy may cover the Immigration card, but not the customs declaration.
If you thought this was bad, have a read of the below stories.
FBI's New Eye Scan Database Raising Eyebrows
US To Get EU Private Citizen Data
WASHINGTON — The United States and the European Union are nearing completion of an agreement allowing law enforcement
and security agencies to obtain private information — like credit card transactions, travel histories and Internet browsing habits
about people on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean...
For example, the two sides have agreed that information that reveals race, religion, political opinion, health or “sexual life� may not be
used by a government “unless domestic law provides appropriate safeguards.� But the accord does not spell out what would be considered
an appropriate safeguard, suggesting that each government may decide for itself whether it is complying with the rule.
EU broadens probe into US spying on Swift banking data and security agencies to obtain private information — like credit card transactions, travel histories and Internet browsing habits
about people on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean...
For example, the two sides have agreed that information that reveals race, religion, political opinion, health or “sexual life� may not be
used by a government “unless domestic law provides appropriate safeguards.� But the accord does not spell out what would be considered
an appropriate safeguard, suggesting that each government may decide for itself whether it is complying with the rule.
European data-protection officials are broadening their investigation into the alleged transfer of personal banking details by the Swift banking cooperative in Belgium to U.S. authorities.
Its just the first move in the blackmail the USA is using to force the EU to compromise data security and open all the otherwise private details of EU citizens to CIA scrutiny.
Note, this utterly outrageous state of affairs will not be reciprocal. MI6 cannot have access or even request access to the private information about US citizens.
Note, this utterly outrageous state of affairs will not be reciprocal. MI6 cannot have access or even request access to the private information about US citizens.
Where are we supposed to access the electronic system? Through the airlines or some top secret government website?
Note, this utterly outrageous state of affairs will not be reciprocal.
Source? All the articles I have read say its a data sharing deal which implies 2 way movement.
@BTC
Re: your MI6 Reference..
In the US, the NSA and I think CIA are not chartered or authorized by law for Domestic surveillance of US Citizens.
They got around this law, by asking other countries Foreign Intel offices to do it, thus the US orgs wern't actually doing the Investigations.
Post 911, I'm sure they got all the power/rights they wanted.
MI6 Deff. did/does surveillance on US citizens (In the US and abroad) for the US Intel Orgs. As does the BND (Germany) and the DGSE
Whenever the laws of one country prevent its Intel. orgs from snooping on its own citizens, they send the work to one of their "Friends"..
Re: your MI6 Reference..
In the US, the NSA and I think CIA are not chartered or authorized by law for Domestic surveillance of US Citizens.
They got around this law, by asking other countries Foreign Intel offices to do it, thus the US orgs wern't actually doing the Investigations.
Post 911, I'm sure they got all the power/rights they wanted.
MI6 Deff. did/does surveillance on US citizens (In the US and abroad) for the US Intel Orgs. As does the BND (Germany) and the DGSE
Whenever the laws of one country prevent its Intel. orgs from snooping on its own citizens, they send the work to one of their "Friends"..
Source? All the articles I have read say its a data sharing deal which implies 2 way movement.
I think you might have it confused with the data sharing agreement between the security services which is being reported as being 2-way. The original post is about a change to the visa waiver program.
Source? All the articles I have read say its a data sharing deal which implies 2 way movement.
it has been discussed exytensively in the UK media and i understand in the rest of Europe. The arrangement will not be reciprocalthread about it here
@BTC
Re: your MI6 Reference..
In the US, the NSA and I think CIA are not chartered or authorized by law for Domestic surveillance of US Citizens.
They got around this law, by asking other countries Foreign Intel offices to do it, thus the US orgs wern't actually doing the Investigations.
Post 911, I'm sure they got all the power/rights they wanted.
MI6 Deff. did/does surveillance on US citizens (In the US and abroad) for the US Intel Orgs. As does the BND (Germany) and the DGSE
Whenever the laws of one country prevent its Intel. orgs from snooping on its own citizens, they send the work to one of their "Friends"..
Darkknight, there is a very very big difference between non-US intelligence agencies spying on US citizens in a non-legitimate way and the US demanding access to private information about all Europeans with threats of supsending the visa Waiver.
Re: your MI6 Reference..
In the US, the NSA and I think CIA are not chartered or authorized by law for Domestic surveillance of US Citizens.
They got around this law, by asking other countries Foreign Intel offices to do it, thus the US orgs wern't actually doing the Investigations.
Post 911, I'm sure they got all the power/rights they wanted.
MI6 Deff. did/does surveillance on US citizens (In the US and abroad) for the US Intel Orgs. As does the BND (Germany) and the DGSE
Whenever the laws of one country prevent its Intel. orgs from snooping on its own citizens, they send the work to one of their "Friends"..
From your guardian link in the other thread
The French government is expected to use its six-month presidency of the EU, starting tomorrow, to build on 18 months of confidential negotiations between Washington and Brussels aimed at clearing the complex legal obstacles to the exchange of personal information with the Americans.
You may be right, but the word exchange makes it sound like reciprocity. Is there something that explictly says its 1 way? I need to know if I need to be outraged or not.
Ah. Just saw the earlier post by BTC. The change to the VWP had been mooted for a while and was partly brought about due to European disunity: the 'new' european countries were pushing for inclusion in the program and this was one of the excuses/reasons used by the Americans as justification - to change the rules to bring the European family under a single umbrella. I thought the issue had essentially been settled and hadn't realised it had been dragged back onto the table as part of the wider discussion about information-sharing between the intelligence services.
Who the feck wants to go there these days anyhow?
If you register online, you won't have to fill out the entry forms in the plane on the way over.
Are you certain of this? Travel offices have been passing much info anyway to US including place of stay etc electronically. Last time (December) in entering in Denver I asked the guy why we still have to fill out the green visa waiver forms when he has the data electronically. He said "computers go down" with a slightly quizical look... In other words, they ignore the electronic info when it could actually help.
People who want to get the most out of their Euros while shopping? I know I'm going to buy buttloads of shit when i'm back this week. And eat good food.
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