In a Press Release today, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, announced the elimination of the paper arrival/departure form (Form I-94W) for authorized travelers from nations participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The elimination of the paper I-94W form enables travelers to provide basic biographical, travel and eligibility information automatically through ESTA prior to departure for the United States —reducing redundancy and enhancing the security of sensitive personal information, as CBP stores and protects all VWP data electronically on secure servers.

CBP recommends that travelers submit ESTA applications as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, will be valid for two years or until the applicant’s passport expires. To date, CBP has received more than 19 million ESTA applications from citizens of VWP countries—applications that will now automatically cover I-94W submission.

For more information about ESTA, please visit www.cbp.gov

As of January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. You can access this authorization online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is a free Internet application administered by Homeland Security (DHS). You can access the free application at 

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

For more information on the ESTA advisory statement:
Read this press release from Homeland Security