VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

This program permits citizens of specific countries to enter the USA without a visa for a maximum of 90 days. Click on this link to see which countries are eligible: www.dhs.gov 

Passport requirements

Your passport must meet the following requirements, depending on its date of issue: 

• If issued before 26/10/2005:
  Your passport must have a machine-readable zone (lines
  of text with biographical data in OCR-B characters)
• If issued between 26/10/2005 and 25/10/2006:
  Your passport must have a machine-readable zone
  and a digital passport photograph
• If issued after 26/10/2006:
  passport must be an “e-passport“. This contains a chip with your
  biographical, biometric data and a digital passport photograph

Visa

You will need a visa if your passport does not meet these requirements or you are not a citizen of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program.

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORISATION (ESTA)

Anyone wishing to enter the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme must apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation.  Please apply as early as possible. We suggest at least 72 hours prior to your departure. SWISS is required to refuse transportation for passengers without ESTA travel permission at time of check-in.

At present, the green entry form (I-94W) must still be completed on board.

ESTA Validity

Your ESTA authorisation is valid for up to two years provided it is not withdrawn and your passport does not expire. The ESTA travel authorisation is valid for multiple entries into the United States. You can easily update the destination address, travel route or your future travel plans on the ESTA website.

ADVANCED PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEM (APIS)

APIS is a requirement under US immigration law. Airlines are obliged to transmit their passenger data to the US Department of Homeland Security prior to departing for the USA. To avoid inconvenience when you arrive in the USA, it is important to make sure that you complete the APIS form correctly.

APIS collects data including surnames, first names, passport numbers, etc.

Use this SWISS.COM service to save time on your arrival in the USA. The Web Check-In is the quickest and easiest way to complete the form.

• Check in online any time between 23 and 1 hours before your departure
  for the USA
• Complete the APIS online form and send it to SWISS
• The form registers the following data: Your first name and surname,
  your booking code (PNR number), your passport number, your home
  address and your address in the USA
• You can change any of the data at any time at SWISS.COM/API

Other options: You can also register the data at the Self Check-In kiosks or at the Check-In desk.