18th November 2008, 12:25 pm
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: NEW ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO THE USA
Effective from 12 January, 2009, the US Department of Homeland Security will introduce new
immigration procedures for all passengers intending to enter the USA.
Under the new procedures, travellers wishing to visit the USA under the Visa Waiver
Programme – which includes passport holders from Australia and New Zealand – will be
required to “pre-register” their intention to enter America at least 72 hours prior to their
scheduled departure.
This requires all intending travellers to apply online to the Department of Homeland Security
for a travel authorisation, prior to boarding an aircraft or vessel to the USA.
Travellers who do not apply for and receive a formal travel authorisation ahead of their
intended departure date will not be able to board a flight or ship to the USA.
This is not a regulation created by airlines. It is a requirement of the US Government, and
unfortunately, where passengers do not have a travel authorisation, airline check in staff will
not be able to resolve the problem. Nor will Hawaiian Airlines be liable for any costs or
cancellation penalties or inconvenience where travellers do not have a travel authorisation,
and are not permitted to travel.
To avoid potential conflict between passengers and airline employees on the day of
departure, or between passengers travel agents in the event of a denied boarding, we urge
travel agents to be aware of this requirement now, and to ensure that the travel authorisation
procedure is followed by intending passengers.
To apply on line for a US Travel Authorisation, visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. The
application is free of charge and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It is valid for
two years for holders of a valid passport.
Once travel authorisation is sought and obtained, passengers must update their travel plans
online for subsequent visits to the USA, quoting their travel authorisation number.
