News

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ESTA)

ADVISORY STATEMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA™), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a U.S. government Web site.1

DHS does not charge VWP travelers a fee for completion of an ESTA™ application. Eligible visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP may apply for travel authorization via the ESTA™ Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov or click here.

VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA™ and for submitting ESTA™ applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. Again, the United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through the ESTA™ Web site. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA™ will not expedite the granting of approval.

The ESTA™ application Web site is available in 16 languages and includes a help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to guide them through the application process. Additional information about ESTA™ may be found at http://www.cbp.gov/esta.

ORANJESTAD – Starting Monday October 27, 2008 a new immigration system is being implemented at Immigration of the Airport of Aruba and at the Port. The new ED-Card is not mandatory for locals, but they need to identify themselves at all times.

The new ED-card is not applicable on locals who are, born on Aruba and have a Dutch passport; who are naturalized in Aruba, who are in possession of a Dutch passport and who have been living continuously in Aruba since 1986, who are in possession of a Dutch passport, but who were not born in Aruba, of whom one parent has a Dutch passport or have, and those who are not born in Aruba but who are in possession of a declaration which is based upon article 1, member 1 sub D of E of the old LTU which expired on June 31, 2006.All the above persons do not have the obligation to fill in the new ED-card, but have to identify themselves with a passport, ID or a valid identification document according to Aruban Law. Neither are they in obligation of having their passports stamped when leaving or arriving at the Aruban Airport or the Port. Despite of this, it is important to consider that South American countries require a stamp of the country of origin. The USA and the European countries do not require a stamp.

The passenger will be registered at each arrival or departure, but a picture or finger print will not be taken from everyone. This will only be applicable on people who have been deported or expelled, those who are looked for by justice or who have used a false passport. 

For more information click here: http://www.overheid.aw/index.asp?nmoduleid=19&wgid=6&spagetype=21&nPageID=6000137&nCMSPageType=1