US Immigration Requirements

What is Secure Flight?

Secure Flight Programme is an enhanced security check for passengers wishing to fly to/from/within the United States, which is to be implemented as of 1 November 2010.

When travelling to/from the United States, travellers will now be required to provide the following minimum Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) when making a reservation:

Name as it appears on Passport
Date of Birth
Gender
Redress Number (if available)

Redress - for passengers who feel they have been misidentified

Redress is an opportunity for passengers who believe they have been improperly or unfairly delayed or prohibited from boarding an aircraft to seek resolution and avoid future delays. For more information on the redress process, please visit www.dhs.gov/trip.

What is APIS?

For security reasons the US, most EU States, and other countries now require airlines to provide personal details about their passengers before they travel. This is known as Advance Passenger Information (API) or Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).

When do I complete APIS?

Sterling Travel Management will usually ask you to supply the passenger details found on the ‘machine-readable’ page of your passport - that is the page containing your photograph.

You may be asked for your:

Full Name
Date of Birth
Gender
Passport Number
Country that issued your passport
Date of Passport expiration
Address of your first night's stay (optional)

Your mandatory Advance Passenger Information (APIS) can then be submitted in one of the following 3 ways:

at the time of booking offline through Sterling Travel Management
- if you have completed a personal travel e-profile the consultant will draw the API from the profile we hold on our reservation system
- if you have not completed a personal travel e-profile the consultant may ask you for the details at the time of booking
at the time of checking-in online with your airline you can submit your APIS
at the airport check-in desk APIS can be collected by an automated passport reader

Details must be submitted for countries that require APIS prior to boarding the aircraft.

What is ESTA?

Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

New ESTA fee: Effective 8 September 2010, all ESTA registration applications or renewals on or after that date will require a $14.00 fee payment by credit or debit card. Existing ESTA registrations remain valid through their expiration date.

Apply for an ESTA online

When do I complete ESTA?

Registration for ESTA is mandatory. Citizens of the countries listed are currently eligible to apply for ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The US Department for Homeland Security suggests that registration takes place no less than 72 hours before travelling. However, you can submit your details any time before travelling to the US.

Once your ESTA is confirmed by email it will be valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. You will need to re-apply for ESTA if you acquire a new passport.

ESTA Q&A
US Department of Homeland Security - Visa Waiver Program (VWP)