Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3), this Privacy Act Statement informs you about the collection and use of personal data on this website.
Authority
The information collected on this website is authorized by Title 8 of the United States Code. In particular, Section 711 of the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” (110 PL 53) amends the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) under Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187). This allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to electronically gather critical biographical and security-related information. Such data collection is mandatory for travelers from VWP countries intending to visit the United States.
Purpose
The primary purpose of collecting this information is to assess travelers’ eligibility and evaluate any potential law enforcement or security risks associated with their entry into the United States. The Secretary of Homeland Security uses this data to determine whether an applicant qualifies to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (8 U.S.C. 1187(a)(11)).
Routine Use
The collected data may be shared with government agencies to assist DHS in evaluating the applicant’s eligibility for travel authorization. If an ESTA application is denied, the information may be forwarded to the U.S. Department of State for visa processing. It may also be shared with carriers for travel verification purposes. A full list of routine uses is available in the “Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Border Protection – DHS/CBP-009 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) System of Records” notice, which can be accessed on the DHS website at https://www.dhs.gov/system-records-notices-sorns.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Providing this information is not a legal requirement for U.S. entry; however, travelers who do not receive an approved ESTA must apply for a visa in order to be admitted into the country.
Automatically Collected Information
When visiting our website, certain technical information is collected automatically:
- Internet domain and IP address
- Browser type and operating system
- Date and time of access
- Pages visited
- Referral site (if applicable)
This information is used solely for improving site functionality and analyzing visitor trends. It does not personally identify users.
Cookies
This website uses only non-persistent session cookies, which do not collect personal information and are automatically deleted when you close your browser. These cookies are designed to improve navigation and enhance the user experience.
Site Security
For security reasons and to ensure accessibility for all users, the system monitors network traffic and detects unauthorized access attempts. Unauthorized activities, such as hacking or data modification, are strictly prohibited and may result in prosecution under relevant laws.
Your Privacy Rights
The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) protects personal information held by U.S. government agencies. Although it primarily applies to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, DHS provides certain privacy protections to foreign nationals when managing mixed-use systems. The Act requires:
- Publishing a notice in the Federal Register for any new or modified system of records.
- Maintaining accurate, relevant, and up-to-date personal data.
- Providing individuals with access to and the ability to amend their records upon request.
For further details on the Privacy Act, visit https://www.justice.gov/opcl/privacy-act-1974.