New registration rules for flyers to USA

Britons travelling to the USA will be required to register their details online at least three days before flying from next year.

The requirement was announced by the American department of homeland security as part of a drive to tighten security for those who are able to enter the USA without a visa.

Starting in January 2009, the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation scheme will see British holidaymakers required to supply personal details to a website, which officials in the USA will then use to perform a security check.

This will also apply to travellers from other countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program. Those intending to stay in the country for up to 90 days for leisure or business purposes will be subject to the new requirements.

"Rather than relying on paper-based procedures, this system will leverage 21st-century electronic means to obtain basic information about who is travelling to the USA without a visa," commented homeland security secretary Michael Chertoff.

Almost 570,000 Britons visited the USA in the first two months of this year, according to figures from the American department of commerce.

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