US to screen foreign air passengers

The procedure will become mandatory only on 12 January 2009, with all passengers from visa vaiwer programme countries - including children - required to receive an authorisation to travel before they board a US-bound airplane or vessel.

On top of 15 EU states - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK - the obligation will also apply to Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore and Switzerland.

The system will ask for identical data as is currently required when filling out the I-94 immigration form on board, including biographical and passport information, data on mental and physical health, drug abuse as well as crime history.

The application - submitted no later than 72 hours ahead of the departure - could be filled in by a relative or travel agent on behalf of a passenger. The subsequent authorisation for travel will be valid for multiple entries over a two-year period.

"The ESTA is not a visa," Ms Bednarz was cited as saying by AFP, although admitting that the US is aware of additional efforts on the side of passengers to complete the form.

She also indicated that the US may eventually charge for ESTA registration, saying "In the future, there may be a fee." Currently a US visa application costs $131 or €83.