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The United States government has announced a new system to be introduced next year that will require travellers from certain countries to submit information about themselves prior to departure.

Set to replace the written forms that visitors to the US are currently required to complete, the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) will relate to all citizens of countries that are part of the visa waiver program (VWP).

The VWP enables nationals from countries including the UK, France and Germany to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.

US homeland security secretary Michael Chertoff said Esta will be a modern method of obtaining information about people who are visiting the country without a visa.

'Getting this information in advance enables our frontline personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveller presents a threat, before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores,' he added.

'It is a relatively simple and effective way to strengthen our security, and that of international travellers, while helping to preserve an important program for key allies.'

Esta applications will be accepted from 1 August this year – with the system set to be fully launched in January 2009 – and will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant's passport expires.

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