Effective January 12, 2009 with full enforcement as of March 20, 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is making its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) mandatory for all travellers to the U.S. from countries who fall under the Visa Waiver Program. This applies to all Swiss and other VWP country citizens, except those who have a visa to enter the USA.

All Swiss citizens who are travelling to the United States for temporary business or pleasure reasons must receive electronic travel authorization through ESTA prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane. 

Beginning September 8, 2010, a fee of USD 14.00 will be charged to obtain a travel authorization as required by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009:
A processing fee of USD 4.00 will be charged to all applicants requesting a travel authorization. If the application is approved and you receive authorization to travel to the United States, an additional fee of USD 10.00 will be charged.

All payments for electronic travel authorization applications must be made by credit card or debit card when applying for or renewing an ESTA. The ESTA system accepts the following credit/debit cards: MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover. 

Travellers who have not received ESTA approval may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.

It is recommended that ESTA applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.

Accompanied and unaccompanied children, regardless of age, will also be required to obtain independent ESTA approval. A third party, such as a relative or travel agent, is permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of the traveller.

An approved ESTA application is valid for a period of two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

Further information and links to apply for ESTA are below:

 ESTA Information

 ESTA Application