US to charge USD14 for ESTAs as from 9 September

[Dave Noble]

BBC News - US to charge £9 for Esta compulsory travel entry form

 

[markis10]

It would apply to all countries according to the original source :

http://www.ttglive.com/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=3208370&CMPI_SHARED_articleId=4240185&CMPI_SHARED_ImageArticleId=4240185&CMPI_SHARED_articleIdRelated=4240185&CMPI_SHARED_ToolsArticleId=4240185&CMPI_SHARED_CommentArticleId=4240185&articleTitle=Esta%20fee%20set%20at%20$14

 

[Dave Noble]

Although the BBC article focuses on the UK cost/issue, it does state

It applies to all 35 countries with US "visa waiver" status.

Dave

 

[Blackadder]

I guess only a matter of time before the LOTFAP started charging for the ETSAs.

 

[straitman]

As I suppose this will also apply to updates then I had better go ahead and do so shortly.

 

[james4321]

Can anyone help me with this query? My wife and I travelled to Hawaii last Xmas (2009) and so we applied for and received our ESTA approval. We supplied that number to the checkin staff as required, and then threw away the piece of paper with the approval number on it.

We will be returning to the USA in May next year (2011) and although I understand that approval is valid for 2 years, so should still be OK, my question is: Do I need the approval number or some other reference to supply to the airline at checkin? If I do how can I obtain it? (I have looked at the ESTA site but it requires an application number to be able to access my details, so cant get in there)

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[serfty]

I would suggest you both do new ones sometime before 9th of September and keep a printout (and soft copy, e.g. pdf) of each approval.

These would then be valid until Aug/Sep 2012.

I always have a printed copy available when checking in for flights to the USA.

 

[Mal]

I would suggest you both do new ones sometime before 9th of September and keep a printout (and soft copy, e.g. pdf) of each approval.

Yep, I'll be applying for a new one as late as possible. I have to anyway (you can't change home country without doing a new appln), but might as well ensure I get the best value out of it.

Either way $US7 / year (and yep it will keep going up I'm sure!) isn't a huge impost. I'm not a fan of it, but don't consider it too bad.

 

[clifford]

So, shouldn't we be charging Americans to enter our wonderful country?

 

[straitman]

So, shouldn't we be charging Americans to enter our wonderful country?

At least double :!:

 

[serfty]

The Oz Guvm't already charges $47 to depart the country!

... and it's very proletariat, being for all departing passengers all over the age of 11 years.

 

[Dave Noble]

So, shouldn't we be charging Americans to enter our wonderful country?

Um. Australia alread charges AUD20 for an ETA for US travellers visiting Australia and the ETA is only valid a year (iirc). Seems that the US is not even reciprocating to what AU charges

 

[MarcB]

Um. Australia alread charges AUD20 for an ETA for US travellers visiting Australia and the ETA is only valid a year (iirc). Seems that the US is not even reciprocating to what AU charges

Yeah I saw this the other day when I looked up details for a mate who is visiting from NY in September. I was mortified that we charge and the US didn't! I think it is quite sneaky the way the Oz govt say that the visa is "free" but then slap a $20 processing charge on you. Also, the fee is non-refundable so if you apply and are denied, they keep the $20!!!

I'd say the US are being very nice to us in comparison with the $14.

 

[wtolmie]

Considering what some other countries charge for visas, I sure wouldn't be complaining.. Although u can't beat $200 APEC card. Saves me (company) bukoo $$$ on visas.

 

[serfty]

ETA's are only required for citizens of the USA, Canada, SAR Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, North Korea, Japan and Brunei.

Citizens of New Zealand are exempt. Also, those of the European Union can get a free "eVisitor".

Residents of most other countries require a $105 tourist visa.

 

[notzac]

I wonder if it's possible to renew ones' ESTA early? I was thinking about enrolling a new one in the first week of September, even though my current one doesn't run out until January..

 

[serfty]

I wonder if it's possible to renew ones' ESTA early? I was thinking about enrolling a new one in the first week of September, even though my current one doesn't run out until January..

Same here, although it not so much renewal as in obtaining a new one.

I know some who obtained their initial ESTA and travelled; then simply got a new one (on-line) several months later for a further trip, basically because they though they needed to re-apply every trip. (They did not know their orginal ESTA would be valid for two years.) They had no problems with doing this.

 

[drewbles]

Yep, I'll be applying for a new one as late as possible. I have to anyway (you can't change home country without doing a new appln), but might as well ensure I get the best value out of it.

I'll wait for the website to melt on the 8th/9th

*adds note to calendar to re-do his on the 8th as well*

 

[kpc]

Quick Q: I did my ESTA last month as I will be transitting through LAX next month en route to Vancouver; I wrote that I was in transit en route to YVR as my US address. I'm planning to drive to Seattle (day trip) to visit the Boeing factory whilst in Vancouver. Do I need to update my ESTA prior? Again, I'll be transitting LAX when I return to Sydney, and would I have to update my ESTA again? thanks

 

[serfty]

You can update the address field if you desire.

I do.

Some have reported there is no need. In any case you still need to put something on your customs declaration.