…but goodbye to the I-94W

The completion of the green Form I-94W for travellers entering the US under the Visa Waiver Programme will come to an end by before this autumn.

The elimination of the inflight paper form signals the full conversion to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), the online authorisation system for visa waiver travellers.

The announcement was made on May 20 by the Department of Homeland Security Secretary of State, Janet Napolitano. “This step to eliminate the paper I-94W leverages the latest technology to further bolster security, increase convenience for visitors and better protect privacy. The use of paper I-94W forms will be eliminated for VWP travellers with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) arriving in the United States at all airports by the end of this summer.”

The U.S. Travel Association's president and ceo Roger Dow welcomed the initiative. "The U.S. travel community applauds Secretary Napolitano and her team at the Department of Homeland Security for taking an important step in streamlining the entry process for international visitors. Today's announcement will help reduce confusion and increase the speed of processing for millions of our guests. With full implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, the United States is proving that it can simultaneously strengthen security and improve our customers' experience. We will continue to work in support of Secretary Napolitano's efforts to make America's entry process both safe and welcoming."