Posted on January 12, 2009 by Fiona Hilliard

New rules requiring those travelling to the US under the visa waiver scheme to register online before travelling could lead to thousands of tourists being turned away by US immigration officials.  Anyone not registered is likely to be detained or sent home according to government officials.
From TODAY (January 12th), anyone travelling to the US under the visa waiver scheme must fill in an electronic authorisation form 72 hours before their departure date.  The authorisation lasts for two years and replaces the forms previously filled out by passengers on planes flying into America.  The information included on the forms is unchanged.