Vice Consul Briefs Journalists on Visa Waiver Program and ESTA

November 12, 2008

Since Minister of Interior Robert Kaliňák and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff have announced that, starting November 17, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program will include citizens and nationals of the Slovak Republic, the Embassy has undertaken a massive information program to explain in detail how Visa Waiver travel and the electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA) work. Vice Consul Ann Meceda continued the educational outreach on November 12 by holding a seminar to brief Slovak and Czech journalists on the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA. Members of the Embassy staff will demonstrate how Slovak citizens can register using ESTA on Hviezdoslavovo Square from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13. And, as Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik announced on Markíza’s Teleráno program on November 10, Embassy officers will wish “Dobru cestu” at the airport to the first Visa Waiver travelers from Slovakia. To travel on the Visa Waiver Program, you will need a biometric passport, an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) and your trip must be 90 days or less. ESTA can be accessed at this website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov