New US Travel Authorisation Requirements

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has reminded travellers intending to enter the USA, that a new requirement for advance travel authorisation came into effect from January 12^th, 2009.

Applying for the new advance travel authorisation is reasonably straightforward (by US standards) involving answering some questions online. From early in the New Year, US authorities will be entitled to refuse access to any Irish visitor who does not have the new travel authorisation. Even so, reports indicate that’s application rate for the new travel authorisation is very low compared with other EU countries.

Simon Nugent, ITAA Chief Executive, commented:

“This new system is nothing to worry about. For many years, people who have travelled to the have been asked to fill in a form during the flight or at immigration in Dublin or Shannon airport. The online ESTA system asks for the same information, just in advance of the trip.

“Many Irish travellers tend to leave formalities to the last minute and ESTA seems to be no exception with reports that our application rate is very low compared to other EU countries. Whilst the vast majority of applications from Visa Waiver Countries are approved instantly, less than half of one per cent of applicants are turned down for one reason or another. If you find yourself in this category then you will need to apply for a visa, and this does take time. That is why we recommend that you and your passport sit down together over the New Year break and apply for ESTA even if you are not sure you will be going to the this year. Once your ESTA is approved it will be valid for two years or until your passport expires, allowing you to travel back and forth to the freely.

“Getting your travel authorisation using the ESTA website is 100% free. However, online companies have sprung up offering to process requests for travel authorisation for a fee, in some cases up to $50! This is an attempt to ‘mug’ travellers online, who may not be aware that the process costs nothing.

“Don’t pay good money for a service that the US Government is giving away for free. The genuine ESTA website is operated by the Department of Homeland Security website and – most importantly – it won’t ask you for any money. The ITAA is advising travellers to apply for travel authorisation direct at http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/

“The advice from the ITAA advice is clear – if you are travelling to the USA from January 12^th, 2009, make sure to get your ESTA travel authorisation well in advance. Set aside ten minutes over the holiday period to log on and sort it out. And, to make sure you have the right ESTA website, log onto www.itaa.ie and follow the link.”

USA Property Links

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US Foreclosures The New 'Big Thing'

They don't do anything by halves in the US, therefore the following shouldn't come as any great surprise in all honesty. The biggest trend in the US property market these days? Why foreclosure hunting of course - what else would you do in the midst of a full-blown recession and the worst economic crisis since the great depression. 

Business Week reports that foreclosures are up 53% on last year (report is from July but we doubt it's changed much in the past couple of months). US foreclosure website, www.foreclosure.com, is among the most visited sites on searching for the word 'foreclosure', it is visited by 14% of all surfers looking for the topic, and there are lots of them.

It's not all fun and games, however, because any foreclosed property obviously belonged to someone who couldn't afford to pay debts on it beforehand. It is reported that many of those searching for the term 'foreclosure' are desperate homeowners searching for ways in which to avoid having the bank sell their homes. There are some good hints and tips on www.hud.gov if this is your unfortunate plight. 

The Irish though, have no qualms about searching for cheap foreclosed property in the US. It is, in fact, becoming a national hobby. Irish investors are trawling the internet for bargains in what has always been one of its favourite marketplaces - the good old US of A. 

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For a selection of property in the USA click here.

For a list of agents selling property in the USA click here.

For independent articles on overseas property click here.

For advice on purchasing in the US click here.

For news on the US property market click here.

For new releases and product updates from US agents click here.

For a selection of property exhibitions featuring US property click here.

Register now to receive our informative newsletter, save searches and tailor your OverseasCafe.com experience to your own needs.