ESTA Charges To Start 9th Sept

The US government is to start charging UK travellers $14 (£9) to apply for permission to enter the country. At present the compulsory Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) is free to use and apply for entry into the U.S, but from 9th September visitors to the US will be required to pay for it. So......if you are booked to travel after the 9th September, then it is advisable to apply for your ESTA approval within the next few weeks to avoid the charge.

It lasts for two years; people who already have a valid form will not have to pay until their current one expires.

The scheme was introduced in January 2009 but was made mandatory from January 2010.
It applies to all 35 countries with US "visa waiver" status which includes Great Britain.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation form, which takes up to 72 hours to be approved, gives air passengers prior approval for entry to the US. It replaced the green I-94 card which passengers have previously filled in on their flight into the US.