Travellers arriving in and transiting through the United States are advised that a new government agency entitiled NVC – National Vetting Center – is now operational. This agency is responsible for carrying out new and more thorough verifications of persons entering the United States of America. The US authorities have announced that the verifications will also be applied to ESTAS that have already been issued, and whose validity is typically 6 months. As such, it is possible that some visitors could have their ESTA cancelled by the NVC without notice.
Before embarking on their trip, all travellers (even those already in transit in the United States of America) are strongly advised to verify the validity of their ESTA by visiting the following website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1
Without a valid ESTA airlines will NOT allow passengers to board flights that are bound for the United States of America. This Consulate General in San Francisco does not assume any responsibility regarding airline tickets or travel packages acquired or purchased by travellers without a valid ESTA at the moment they board their flights.