US to charge entry fee for tourists

the inside track

US authorities are poised to introduce a $14 charge for the majority of British tourists visiting the country.

The charge, likely to be introduced in the next four months, is being levied on all visitors entering the US on the Visa Waiver Program.

The visa waiver scheme allows nationals from some 50 countries, including Britain, to enter the US without a visa. The ESTA has already been mandatory for visa waiver travellers for six months, but until now it has been free. So far, around 20 million people have applied for one and been approved. One quarter of those applications have come from the UK.

Consequently, the US Department of Homeland Security is urging Britons who are thinking of visiting the US in the near future to apply for an ESTA now, while it is still free. Once the application is approved, the ESTA allows entry to the US for two years.

For clear instructions for British passengers and a safe link to the ESTA application form go to visitusa.org.uk

[source: The Times Online ]

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