Travellers to US targeted by visa charge scam

A NEW online system that requires Irish people travelling to the US to register personal details before they leave is being targeted by global internet scams.

From January 12, the half a million Irish people that travel to the US every year will have to register details with the US government at least 72 hours before they leave.

The aim is to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the US.

However, the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said online companies are offering to process requests for travel authorisation for a fee, despite it being free of charge.

It said the website link for the registration for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is not user-friendly, resulting in many travellers doing web search for the term ‘ESTA’ and being led to the rogue websites.

The ITAA has a link on its website (www.itaa.ie) to the ESTA web address.

It said that less than 10% of Irish travellers going stateside next year have so far sought clearance, which is low compared with other EU countries.

US authorities can refuse access to any Irish visitor who does not have the travel authorisation.

ITAA chief executive, Simon Nugent said: “Many Irish travellers tend to leave formalities to the last minute and ESTA seems to be no exception.

“While the vast majority of applications from visa waiver countries are approved instantly, less than 0.5% of applicants are turned down for one reason or another. If you find yourself in this category then you will need to apply for a visa, and this does take time.”

Once approved, the ESTA will be valid for two years or until your passport expires. It applies to travellers to the US from all visa waiver countries.

Travellers will be asked to provide biographical data, including name, date of birth, and passport number as well as answers to questions regarding eligibility to travel.

A Homeland Security Office spokeswoman said it is not asking for new information — they’re just getting it earlier.

It is expected the online registration will replace the I-94 card, which includes a passport number, country of residence, disclosure of communicable diseases or involvement in terror activities.

* The authorisation website is: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/.