Passengers heading for the USA must now apply online for authorisation to enter the country from US authorities at least 72 hours prior to departure. The ESTA Electronic System for Travel Authorization is mandatory from now on for all passengers travelling to the USA under the visa-free Visa Waiver Program. Passengers failing to obtain authorisation prior to departure can be denied entry to the USA. Passengers with a valid visa for the USA do not require ESTA approval.

Online authorisation can obtained solely from the website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov which has been set up for applications by the US authorities. The process is free. In most cases, applicants will be emailed confirmation of approval to travel within a matter of seconds. The authorisation is then valid for two years or until the date their passport expires, whichever comes first. Information submitted in an application can also be amended on the https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov website. More details about ESTA as well as questions and answers about the process are also available on the website.

During a transitional period, passengers must still complete on board the green I-94W arrival/departure form which will be handed as previously to US officials on arrival at the airport. ESTA online registration was introduced by the US authorities for US-bound passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Program in January 2009. It has now become mandatory. Lufthansa advises its passengers to submit an application for online authorisation to enter the USA well before their flight and to carry a print-out of it throughout their journey.