Visitors wishing to attend the upcoming AHR Expo in Las Vegas who are not U.S. citizens should plan their travel to the United States as early as possible to insure a successful trip. If you are coming from a country that requires you to apply for a Visa to enter the United States, you MUST first reserve register to attend the Show.
If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the US "Visa Waiver Program" (see list), please refer to the article below for VERY IMPORTANT new information regarding ESTA Mandatory Approval.
Countries in the "Visa Waiver Program":
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom - and newly added: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the launch of an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
Understanding ESTA ESTA is a new online system, designed to determine the eligibility of visitors to the U.S. before they travel. ESTA applies to citizens of all countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), who are traveling to the U.S. for business or leisure trips of 90 days or less. Specifically, this impacts citizens of 34 countries, including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom - and newly added: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
Currently these travelers complete a form on arrival into the U.S. (I-94W) with basic biographical and eligibility information. Under ESTA, VWP travelers will now be required to complete this information online and receive approval prior to commencing their trip.
When Does ESTA Come Into Effect?
The ESTA website has been available for voluntary use since 1 August 2008; ESTA has become mandatory since 12 January 2009. After this date, impacted travelers will require an approved ESTA prior to traveling to the U.S.. Travelers who fail to obtain ESTA approval after ESTA becomes mandatory may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission into the U.S..
How To Apply For ESTA Approval To apply for ESTA approval travelers must log on to the ESTA website - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/ - and complete the online application form. Travelers are required to complete personal biographical and eligibility information.
Specific travel plans are not required at time of application, meaning an ESTA request can be submitted at any time prior to travel to the U.S.; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security encourages VWP travelers to seek ESTA approval as soon as they begin to plan their trip. Travel information can be updated online once travel details are finalized. It is however strongly recommended that ESTA applications are submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.
Once approved, an ESTA is valid for multiple entries to the U.S., and remains valid for up to two years, or until the applicant's passport expires.
63rd International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition
Produced and Managed by
CELEBRATING ITS 100th ANNIVERSARY IN 2011
1911 - 2011
15 Franklin St. Westport, CT 06880 · Tel: 203.221.9232 · Fax: 203.221.9260 · Contact Us
