Fees to accompany ESTA permit required of US-bound travellers

Those wishing to travel to USA should apply for ESTA before Wednesday to avoid fees

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The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) permit required of international travellers who wish to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program will carry a fee from Wednesday, September 8th.
      After the change has taken effect, 14 dollars or around 11 euros will be levied in connection with filing the application.
      Initially only a credit or debit card can be used to make the payment.
     
The ESTA approval lasts for two years or until one’s passport expires (whichever is sooner).
      The online application form also asks for the flight number, but this field can be left blank.
      Those planning to travel to the United States in the near future can apply for the ESTA permit (without charge) before September 8th, even if they do not know the flight number or the exact travel dates yet.
      "We encourage anyone who even thinks they may be travelling to go ahead and apply now," said Maureen Dugan, assistant executive director of admissibility and passenger programmes at the US Customs and Border Protection, in a press meeting in Washington DC.
     
According to Dugan, the agency has normally received some 40,000 to 50,000 applications per day from visa waiver countries, but in the last few days this figure has shot up to more than 100,000.
      Apparently the news of the permit becoming chargeable has hit home among the would-be travellers.
     
For Finnish tourists wishing to travel to the United States, the ESTA permit that can be applied for on the Internet became compulsory in January 2009.
      The application form contains questions that can prevent authorisation to enter the USA.
      For example a person’s criminal history or certain infectious diseases can lead to the refusal of ESTA.
      Less than one per cent of the filed applications are denied.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finns to need electronic authorisation to travel visa-free to USA from next year (4.6.2008)

Links:
  Welcome to ESTA – the Official U.S. Government Web Site

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