tɹˈævəlɚz wɜːɹ ˈeɪbəl tʊ ɐplˈaɪ fɔːɹ ˈɛstə ɪn ˈɔːɡəst tˈuː θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪt, ænd ðɪ ˌɔːθɚɹᵻzˈeɪʃən bɪkˌeɪm mˈændətˌoːɹi fɔːɹ tɹˈævəl baɪ ˈɛɹ ɔːɹ sˈiː fɹʌm dʒˈænjuːˌɛɹi twˈɛlv, tˈuː θˈaʊzənd nˈaɪn.
Travelers were able to apply for ESTA in August 2008, and the authorization became mandatory for travel by air or sea from January 12, 2009.