Up-date April 2010

 

Electronical permit for US-journeys as from 12^th January 2009 –

Visa waiver programme-travellers can apply for visa as from 1^st August 2008

 

For journeys by ship or plane with visa waiver programme, electronical entry permit is requested for Austrian citizens as from 12st January 2009. US Department of Homeland Security recommends to apply as early as possible, latest 72 hours before leave. Mostly, applicants shall be notified within short time on the status of permit. In case of denial, the applicant has to apply at the US-Embassy in Vienna directly.

 

Once confirmed, visa permit is granted for multiple entry in the USA within a period of two years or until termination of passport validity. Prior to each entry, online data have to be up-dated via Internet, resp., in case, means of transportation have been changed at short-term. Electronical permits only allow start of the journey, but do not guarantee entry into the United States is granted by the US-authorities. During journey “visa-waiver-programm” travellers might be asked to complete the green I-94W form.

 

Electronical permits can be applied for online under https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov as from 1sth August 2008.

 

“Visa-waiver-programme” travellers, who are citizes from Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Great-Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Portugal, San Marino, Singapour, Slowenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are permitted to enter the US as tourists or for business up to 90 days without a visa.

 

Photographs for Use with U.S. Non-Immigrant Visas (Non-Immigrant Visa Section  Embassy of the United States Vienna)

 

More information on the programme to be found at http://www.usembassy.at/en/us/travel.htm) and the press release of the US-USA Einreisebestimmungen Stand 17.07.09