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Immigration into the USA
- APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) more
- ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) more
- European Passport (machine-readable passport) more
- Secure Flight (Passagierdaten / Passenger Data Screening)
Deutsche Version / English Version - VWP (Visa Waiver Programm) more
APIS (Advance Passenger Information System)
The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) is an automated system for querying personal data required by the USA to enter and leave the country. Since 4 October 2005, all airlines are legally required to transmit this data for flights into the USA. Apart from the passport data, information on the country where the passenger resides and the complete address of the passenger while in the USA are required.
For Germany there is a standard form for recording the APIS data. The airlines must transmit the data to the US authorities before a flight departs from Germany. CWT travelers are provided with the corresponding form.
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
All citizens of countries that take part in the Visa Waiver
Program (VWP) who wish to travel to the United States require electronic
travel authorization via ESTA before they embark on their journey to the
USA by plane or ship. Accompanied or unaccompanied children regardless of
age must obtain their own ESTA authorization.
For all other nationalities, we recommend that you contact the authorities
in charge. Further information is available at travel.state.gov/.
ESTA is an automated system for checking a visitor’s eligibility to enter the United States under the VWP. It simultaneously determines whether such entry poses a risk with respect to criminal prosecution or security. A fee is charged to apply for ESTA authorization,* which must be done electronically via the ESTA website. CWT sends travelers to the USA the link to the ESTA authorization procedure as part of the “CWT check@web” itinerary. The application asks for personal data such as name, date of birth and passport information, as well as travel details such as the flight number and destination address in the United States. An indication of eligibility for the VWP must also be provided. This includes information on infectious diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, as well as denial of a visa or any deportations.
In order to simplify the authorization procedure, the US Department of Homeland Security advises travelers to apply for ESTA authorization at the latest 72 hours before departure. However, applications can be submitted at any time before a trip to the United States. Every electronic travel authorization granted is valid for two years or until the expiration date on the applicant’s passport – whichever comes first. Should the destination address or travel data for an applicant change after authorization has been granted, this information can simply be updated on the ESTA website. In most cases, the ESTA system establishes almost immediately whether entry is possible. There are three possible responses to an ESTA application: “Authorization Approved,” “Authorization Pending,” “Travel Not Authorized.”
Even once ESTA authorization has been obtained, in some cases form I-94W must still be filled out on the plane because not all airlines can confirm ESTA authorization on site.
Download ESTA info sheet in German
* We recommend that you carry a printout of your ESTA authorization with you at all times during your trip.
European Passport (machine-readable passport)
Since 26 June 2005, all Europeans (including babies and
children) who would like to enter the USA under the VWP must carry a bordeaux-colored
machine-readable passport (European Passport). Those in possession of temporary
passports or non-machine-readable passports require a US visa in order to
enter the USA.
Children’s passports issued before 26 October 2006 can be used for
visa-free entry. Children’s passports issued or extended after 25
October 2006, as well as the old children’s ID cards, cannot be used
for visa-free entry into the USA. These are not issued standard in Germany
as electronic passports (e-passports) with integrated computer chip, which
is why a visa is required in this case. Children can however apply for a
regular electronic passport (identical with the machine-readable passport/
European Passport for adults).
Further information is available on the website of the US Embassy
Secure
Flight
(Screeningprogramm von Passagierdaten)
Die US-Sicherheitsbehörden haben „Secure Flight“, ihr Screeningprogramm von Passagierdaten, neu ausgerichtet. Fluggesellschaften müssen zukünftig bei Flugbuchungen Name, Geburtsdatum und Geschlecht abfragen und direkt an die US-Flugaufsichtsbehörde TSA (Transportation Security Administration) übermitteln. Dort werden die Daten mit verschiedenen Verzeichnissen abgeglichen: mit Listen der staatlichen „Terrorist Screening“-Datenbank, der sogenannten „No Fly“-Liste sowie einem weiteren Verzeichnis für Reisende, die sich einer gesonderten Überprüfung an Flughäfen unterziehen müssen.
Das modifizierte System wird in mehreren Stufen eingeführt:
- Seit 15. Mai 2009 müssen Passagiere bei Flugbuchungen ihren vollen mit ihren Personaldokumenten übereinstimmenden Namen angeben.
- Seit 15. August 2009 sind bei US-Inlandsflügen zusätzlich Geburtsdatum und Geschlecht anzugeben.
- Ab 31. Oktober 2009 werden alle Angaben auch für internationale Flüge und Flüge über die USA nötig.
- Anfang 2010 sollen 100 Prozent der Inlandspassagiere, ab Ende 2010 auch alle Reisenden auf internationalen Flügen mit den TSA-Listen abgeglichen werden.
Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf der TSA-Website
Secure Flight Program Flyer
Secure Flight Passenger Data Mandatory as of 1 November 2010
Starting 1 November 2010 the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require all passengers traveling within, to or from the US, or flying over US airspace, to provide Secure Flight Passenger Data. This data must be present in the reservation and conveyed to the airline no later than 72 hours before scheduled departure.
The data consists of:
- First and last name as it appears in the passport
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Redress Number (if available). This is an ID number assigned by the TSA that serves to distinguish persons with the same or similar name from someone on the watch lists.
The airlines are updating their guidelines and control mechanisms accordingly and could refuse to reserve flights or issue tickets to passengers whose Secure Flight data is not complete. Some airlines are implementing this requirement in their systems even before 1 November 2010.
Further details on the Secure Flight Program can be found on the TSA-Website
TSA Secure Flight Program brochure
VWP (Visa Waiver Programm)
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) falls under the responsibility
of the US Department for Homeland Security. Since Germany participates in
the VWP, travelers with German citizenship and a machine-readable passport
can travel to the USA without a visa. This applies for stays of 90 days
or less for tourism or social purposes.
Further information is available on the website of the US Embassy
