U.S. ESTA Travel Pass News

The United States requires that travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program have an e-Passport if their passport was issued on or after October 26, 2006.

e-Passports

An e-Passport contains an electronic chip. The chip holds the same information that is printed on the passport’s data page: the holder’s name, date of birth, and other biographic information. An e-Passport also contains a biometric identifier. The United States requires that the chip contains a digital photograph of the holder. All e-Passports issued by Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries and the United States have security features to prevent the unauthorized reading or “skimming” of data stored on the e-Passport chip. Continue reading U.S. e-Passport Requirements

International travelers transiting through the United States are required to be documented with either a valid passport and a valid visa (unless exempt) or if traveling on the Visa Waiver Program, an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Continue reading Transiting the U.S.

Customs and Border Protection has announced the addition of Global Entry kiosks to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Global Entry, a CBP trusted traveler program, provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers and currently accounts for an average of 9 percent of all international air arrivals.

“CBP is pleased to expand the Global Entry program to New Orleans, where international travel has more than doubled in the last two years,” said Vernon Foret, area port director. “Global Entry allows our officers to focus their efforts on unknown and potentially higher risk air travelers, while at the same time efficiently and securely facilitating low-risk travelers.” Continue reading Global Entry Expands to New Orleans InternationalAirport