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New security measures requiring New Zealanders to register online before they go to the United States are expected to cause problems for last-minute business travellers and people flying there for funerals.
From January next year, the US will require visitors from countries which now do not need a visa - including New Zealanders - to register online at least three days ahead.
The announcement overnight came amid heightened security since the terror attacks in September 2001 but was largely unexpected by officials and the travel industry.
Green Party human rights spokesman Keith Locke called on the Government to protest, and said the move would cause innumerable problems. He labelled it "antiterrorist paranoia".
But Prime Minister Helen Clark said the US had been the target of a very serious terrorist attack and 9/11 legislation required its Government to change the visa waiver programme.
"Obviously it puts an extra step in the way of travel to the Unites States," she said, however New Zealand had not been singled out and in the overwhelming majority of cases it would be "a mere formality".
The New Zealand Embassy in the US will give a full briefing on the new rules today.
It is understood the website for travellers to register will be live in about a month, when they can use it voluntarily. Registration becomes a requirement in January.
Once travellers get eligibility, it is expected to last two years, which would make it easier for business people who often book trips at short notice.
The US Department of Homeland Security is likely to try to accommodate last-minute and emergency travel but costs and details were not known last night.
Travel Agents Association New Zealand president Peter Barlow said travellers to Europe increasingly chose to travel via Asia because of the US's "extreme" stance on security.
"This is just another compelling reason to not go via the States."
He said the association had no warning of the change.
American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand executive director Mike Hearn said the rule could inconvenience a small number of business executives relying on last-minute flights for deal-clinching face-to-face meetings.
The new requirements will potentially affect thousands of New Zealanders.
Latest Statistics New Zealand external migration figures show the US was the main destination for 92,877 New Zealand residents who left for a short term in the year to the end of April. However, the number of New Zealanders who go through the US annually is actually much higher, with many stopping over en route to other countries.
Those needing to register will be travellers from New Zealand and the other 26 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas for US entry. They include most of western Europe as well as Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Japan, and Singapore.
Eight other countries - including the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Korea - are expected to be admitted to the visa waiver programme.
- NZPA
