US confirm $14 ESTA fee

07.08.10

The US Government has confirmed that it will charge UK travellers - and all those travelling under its via waiver scheme - to apply for permission to enter the country. The compulsory Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is currently free, However, from September 9 visitors to the US will have to pay $14 (£9) for it - per person so $56 for a family of 4.

UK passengers without a valid ESTA are not be allowed to board flights to the US. The form lasts 2 years, and anyone who already has a valid ESTA will not have to pay until their current form expires.

The form is completed online and takes up to 72 hours to be approved, but is approved in minutes for most passengers. It gives passengers prior approval for entry to the US, was first introduced in 2009 and made mandatory from the start of this year. It applies to all 35 countries with US ‘visa waiver’ status.

The US Government said the fee has been introduced to fund a programme to promote tourism in the US and attract foreign spending. Some might suggest making it more expensive to go to the US would do exactly the opposite. However, it reminds us of a Ryanair style cash grab. It is too small to discourage most of those planning to visit the US to make the trip, and so is really just a cash generating exercise. It seems even Uncle Sam wants your dollars.

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