Note to visitors outside the US: if you want to beat new fees, apply now because it will soon cost you more to come here.
The compulsory Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is currently free but in September, travelers from 35 nations will have to pay US$14 to use the service.
Of the fee, $10 will go to a fund to promote US tourism with $4 covering administration.
The charge applies to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which tourists have been required to fill online since January 2009 before being granted entry to the US.
The 35 countries are part of the Visa Waiver Program which requires them to complete an Esta form.
The form takes up to 72 hours to be approved and gives air passengers prior approval for entry to the US.
A portion of the fee will also go towards funding the Corporation for Travel Promotion, created by the 2009 Travel Promotion Act “Creating a tourism promotion program to encourage international visitors to vacation in America will help spur economic growth and create more jobs,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) into law earlier this year, putting into place a new public – private partnership between the U.S. government and the nation’s travel and tourism industry.
EU commissioner Cecilia Marlstrom complained the fee would “complicate travel.”
By David Wilkening
