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British Airways has reminded people planning to visit the US from 12 January next year of the need to comply with the new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) scheme.

The system has been launched to enable the US government to check whether people who are travelling under the visa waiver programme, such as those from the UK, are eligible to visit the country.

Travellers can apply online or via their travel agent up to 72 hours before they are due to travel.

Once the Esta application is approved, it will be valid for two years and will allow multiple visits to the US in that period without the need to reapply.

Jim Forster, British Airways' government and industry affairs manager, said: 'The US is our biggest overseas market and we have been working hard to advise our visa waiver customers that they must apply to the Department of Homeland Security well in advance of travel.'

He added: 'We will be sending reminder messages to customers who have given us their email details to invite them to apply for Esta.'

The system, which requires passengers to provide their name, date of birth, passport particulars and other data, is in addition to the Advanced Passenger Information scheme, which requires certain details from the time of booking.

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