The United States will no longer admit passengers from 35 Visa Waiver Program countries who fail to obtain electronic authorization.

Travelers attempting to enter the United States without a visa will be refused admission unless they have first obtained an electronic permit known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). The new zero-tolerance approach applies to passport holders from all 35 countries, including most European Union member states, from which travelers are allowed to enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.

The U.S. government’s Customs and Border Protection agency introduced ESTA on a voluntary basis in August 2008 and made it compulsory in principle in January 2009. Until now, however, the CBP has shown leniency to those who have not been through the ESTA process. CBP has now told airlines they will be fined US$3,300 for each passenger they allow to board without ESTA authorization.

Nine percent of visa-waiver travelers to the U.S. have arrived without applying for authorization since January 2009, according to a CBP official quoted in the Los Angeles Times.

Applying for ESTA takes only a few minutes. Passengers simply submit information they would have previously written on the green I-94 forms handed in at U.S. immigration, which includes name, date of birth and passport number. CBP recommends travelers apply at least 72 hours in advance of travel but ideally as soon as they start planning a trip. Once obtained, ESTA is valid for all visits to the U.S. for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

At present, an ESTA application is free, but could cost US$10 if legislation working its way through Congress becomes law.

Travelers can apply for ESTA at www.cbp.gov/esta.