Tourists To USA Will Have To Pay E-visa Fee

10 Aug 2010

Visitors from US visa waiver scheme countries will have to pay GBP9 ($14) fee to use the online electronic system.  The charge will apply to anyone using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) scheme, which nationals of 36 countries need to use before boarding a flight to the US. The charge will apply from 8 September 2010.

The ESTA was introduced last year as a replacement for the forms travelers had to fill in on flights to the US when they were staying for less than 90 days under the US Visa Waiver Program.

Those applying for ESTA have to do at least two days before they travel and it lasts for two years. As a result, Brits who want to save some cash can apply now, before the fees comes into play.

The fee has been criticised by EU commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, who says that the new fee could ‘complicate travel’ to the US. Ironically, the fees are going towards promoting US tourism.