Foreign visitors planning on visiting the US will have to undergo an online pre-screening program before they are allowed to enter. The system will go into full effect in January of next year, but over 300,000 people have already been approved to enter the US after completing the screening early. Citizens of the 34 countries that do not need visas to enter the US will have to give details about their travel plans and identity before they purchase airline tickets.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, is only available to citizens of the 34 countries that do not require a visa to enter the US. Other countries will have the same relationship with the US as before: citizens will have to apply for a visa though a US consulate or embassy before traveling.

On the downside, the ESTA is an extra step for people who otherwise could enter the US quickly and with more privacy. However, security measures after September 11th have lengthened the process of entering the US, even for those who do not need a visa. The ESTA form is relatively brief and authorization is almost immediate. So, despite the original negative reaction by members of the 34 countries who will now be required to complete the authorization process, it might actually be more convenient for travelers than the current paper forms.

The European Union, many Eastern European countries, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei are among the countries that will now be required to have their citizen complete the ESTA.

The EU is currently studying the ESTA to see if it amounts to a new visa restriction. Despite the argument for convenience, many EU members feel that the new law is not in the spirit of cooperation. There have been calls to require a similar screening process for Americans heading to Europe.