14.00 to get approval to visit the U.S.?

[MomlvsGoofy]

Just read this - didn't see it posted anywhere.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynewspoint/...lYwN5bl9jb2x1bW5pc3RfcgRzbGsDdHJhdmVsZXJzdmlz

 

[paulasillars]

Its been fairly heavily publicised here in New Zealand but IMO it seems a little petty to start charging for it. Also its likely to make many governments make US visitors start paying to enter their countries - no one wins.

 

[Minnie Lor]

You would think that the fee's for the passport would offset the cost of the checking process. So if someone goes back and forth for business, well even pleasure, will they have to pay $14 each time and be checked out each time? It sounds like to me someone thought up a new "tax".

 

[kaligal]

It was discussed before.

The U.S. is broke. We owe more money than exists.

I think they're trying to get more wherever they can. They know the fat lady is going to start wailing one day soon.

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

You would think that the fee's for the passport would offset the cost of the checking process. So if someone goes back and forth for business, well even pleasure, will they have to pay $14 each time and be checked out each time? It sounds like to me someone thought up a new "tax".

It's a one off fee which lasts for 2 years I believe.
But it still seems silly to have to pay for it but there you go. It's not like I'd boycott the states because I didn't want to pay though.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Until very recently Canadians didn't require a passport to visit the US. It's nothing more than a money making scheme by the government under the guise of "security". The world is so much safer now that my 7 year olds have a passport.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Until very recently Canadians didn't require a passport to visit the US.

Yep, recently got my passport so I can visit Montreal again and Ottawa. Can't wait!

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Yep, recently got my passport so I can visit Montreal again and Ottawa. Can't wait!

Strangely enough, I haven't been to either city since I was very young. Then again, growing up near Niagara Falls, I never saw the appeal of it. Water going downhill, big deal. If it was going UPHILL, now THAT'S tourist trap worth seeing.

 

[Friendly Frog]

It was discussed before.

The U.S. is broke. We owe more money than exists.

I think they're trying to get more wherever they can. They know the fat lady is going to start wailing one day soon.

Yes, that is pretty much what Jay Leno said when he told of the new fee, of course he said that if you bring us a couple of can goods we would waive the fee.

 

[Emiel]

You would think that the fee's for the passport would offset the cost of the checking process. So if someone goes back and forth for business, well even pleasure, will they have to pay $14 each time and be checked out each time? It sounds like to me someone thought up a new "tax".

It's a one off fee which lasts for 2 years I believe.
But it still seems silly to have to pay for it but there you go. It's not like I'd boycott the states because I didn't want to pay though.

It was advertised here too. We even received a mail about it from our travel agent.

You pay the fee to get electronic permission to travel to the USA under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This permission lasts 2 years. IMHO it is just a new tax.

What we did is apply for a new permission on Tuesday (the day before they started charging). So now we have "permission to enter" for the next two years.

 

[FireDancer]

The U.S. Government just wants the visitors to our lovely country to feel the same nickel and diming that its citizens feel every April 15th.