FROM January next year, Singaporeans going to the United States will have to apply online first for permission to enter the country.

The online registration will replace the paper forms that holders of Singapore biometric or machine-readable passports submit to US authorities when they arrive in the country. Such Singaporeans are allowed to visit the US without obtaining a visa.

The system was created as part of US' security crackdown after the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks. Officials say it will vet applicants to determine whether a traveller is a potential threat.

The website will approve the bulk of the registrations in under two seconds, said Ms Beverely Good, the local programme management officer for the system. Those who are rejected will have to apply for a visa before travelling to the US. Visitors, once registered, can travel freely in and out of the country, for 90 days or less per visit, for two years.

The plan, called the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta), was rolled out last month in 27 countries whose citizens do not require visas to enter the US. Its website is https://esta.cbp. dhs. gov. To date about 1,500 Singaporeans have used the service.

By Oct 15, the website will be fully operational. To make things easier, it allows applications to be made by a third party such as a friend, relative or travel agent. Even Singaporeans who are just changing planes in the US will have to apply for approval before they fly.

While getting into the US is now easier, the visa waiver Singaporeans enjoyed to enter China has yet to be restored. Visas were made compulsory for Singaporeans travelling to China from July 1 due to security concerns as a result of the Olympic Games.

Mr Luo Weijian, assistant director of China National Tourist Office in Singapore for Asean Countries, said he has not received news when the visa requirement will be lifted.

For more information, refer to the website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov