Angelika And here's another example on the topic of American bureaucracy. Since January of this year, tourists are only allowed to enter the USA without a visa if they register electronically before entering (ESTA = Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
This new regulation complements the so-called Visa Waiver Program, which allows tourists and businesspeople from certain countries, including Germany, to enter without a visa if the stay does not exceed 90 days. To obtain approval, the traveler (including children) must submit data online on the ESTA Web Page. It collects information about the traveler, similar to the green form I-94W, which some of you have certainly already filled out on the plane before entering the USA.
The questions check whether there is anything that would exclude visa-free entry, such as criminal records, drug addiction, or taking up employment in the USA. The entire form must be completed in English, but the instructions are available in many languages. Currently, there is no fee for registration. Travel agencies can also complete the registration on behalf of the traveler. The data is submitted, and the US authorities either grant travel authorization or not, meaning that if the request is denied, the individual must then apply for a visa.
If a tourist receives the authorization, it is valid for up to two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. The granted authorization only means that you are allowed to board the plane to the U.S. without a visa. Whether you are allowed to enter the country is still at the discretion of the American immigration officer at the airport. It is also not guaranteed that you won't have to fill out the green form I-94 W again on the plane.
And then Bush gave us a little bureaucratic treat just before he left office. In January, a law came into effect requiring all Green Card holders to provide fingerprints and a photo upon re-entry at the airport. Previously, this only applied to tourists and people with visas. It's a bit strange because for the Green Card, we already had to provide fingerprints and undergo FBI checks, and a photo one fingerprint are stored on the Green Card. The whole thing is, of course, under the guise of enhanced security, although it's not always clear whether the measures actually improve national security.
Officials stated that the new regulations prevent someone from entering with a fake Green Card. But then it would also be logical to take fingerprints from everyone upon entry, including Americans, because who says the passport is genuine! However, this would lead to large-scale protests, which is why Bush didn't dare to do it. Unfortunately, it is common practice for the President to try to push through all sorts of regulations just before leaving office. Sigh. We hope that Obama will reverse this nonsense.