Thousands of Northern Ireland travellers are facing strict new entry procedures for the United States.

The new rules take effect from January 12, 2009 when Online Electronic Travel forms will become mandatory.

The requirement called an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) will mean passengers will have to submit their documentation ahead of leaving their country of origin so "undesirables" can be screened out before they step onboard an aircraft.

Michael Restovich, US Homeland Security Attache to the UK, told Northern Ireland Travel News: "The new system will replace the green card which is currently filled out onboard a flight to the US by asking passengers to complete the same questions online before they travel. This will be more convenient and cost-effective to those passengers who are refused entry.

"We expect the ESTA will help us to identify the few travellers who actually are not eligible, whereas at the moment they don't know that until they have actually travelled to the United States.

"It will certainly be a big help to identify problems before you go to the expense and time of going to the US. For others there will be no difference."

The online process will take four steps: complete the application, submit, receive, and record the application number in your passport, and then a response will be offered.

This is immediate and will offer one of three outcomes. If travel is authorised, no further action needs to be taken. However, if not authorised the traveller must obtain a non-immigrant visa at the US Embassy or Consulate before travelling to the US.

All applications which are returned as "pending" will need to continually check the website for updates and will hopefully be provided with information within 24 hours, said the US spokesman.

For those who may find the new process confusing and do not have ready access to the internet, Michael added: "There is certainly the concern of not everyone having internet facilities. However, friends, family members or travel agents will be able to do this on your behalf".

At present the green card with passenger details (like past convictions) is presented to immigration officers upon arrival in the US. The new arrangement is an electronic version of the old system and will be valid, unless revoked, for multiple visits up to two years, or until the passport of the passenger expires.

Applying for the form can be done anytime before travelling but has to be done no later than 72 hours prior to departure.

The system is available now on a voluntary basis. The same procedures will take place for passengers flying from either Belfast or Dublin - however Dublin will differ slightly from Belfast as it already has a check system in place.

After January 12, 2009, passengers who do not apply for and receive travel authorisation via ESTA before they travel may be denied boarding.

Countries which benefit from the visa-waiver programme, allowing tourists in with minimal paperwork for up to 90 days, include Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Slovenia, Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Finland, Sweden, France, Netherlands, Germany and the UK. The online system is currently only in English but will soon be available in other languages.

The changes are in addition to those made in June last year when the EU agreed 19 categories of personal information on passengers flying from Europe to the United States would be supplied to the US Department of Homeland Security and could be kept for 15 years.

Log onto www.esta.cbp.dhs.gov to access the form or for any further information.