ESTA Charge ($14!) & Date Confirmed

[scottishgirl87]

Have just stumbled across this....

Esta fee set at $14

Friday, August 06, 2010

Chris Gray

The United States has set the fee for using its online compulsory online immigration system Esta at $14.

The charge is higher than the $10 predicted, and US border authorities said $4 of each fee would be used to cover the costs of administrating the system.

The remaining $10 will be used to fund a new organisation set up to promote tourism under the Travel Promotion Act, which came into law this year.

The fee will be imposed from September 8 and all payments will have to be made by card or debit card at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The system accepts only MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover.

Confirmed to start next month and more expensive than we though! Good thing mine is still valid but will need to get parents done ASAP for NY trip next year.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Sorry to add this on but quick question....

If I simply update my current ESTA will it give me the extra 2 years starting today? Or do I need to start a completely new application for that?

Don't know whether to do it now while I remember or wait until the day before the charge comes in to get as much time as possible added.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Thanks for the info.

Sorry to add this on but quick question....

If I simply update my current ESTA will it give me the extra 2 years starting today? Or do I need to start a completely new application for that?

Don't know whether to do it now while I remember or wait until the day before the charge comes in to get as much time as possible added.

You'll have to apply for a new one. Do it as late as possible.

 

[Pegasus928]

Personally I would start a completely new application. You know from experience how easy it is and it would definately last the full 2 years then.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks, guys

Think it's worth everyone doing just so we all get at least 2 years free. I think I'll do it at the earliest on the 1st September, I mean what's a week!

I'll say that now and I'll end up booking the 1st-8th September 2012 and have to pay

I'll be honest though and I'm very surprised that they would announce the date in advance. Most people who travel regularly will be savvy enough to renew and get their 2 years. Although I suppose there's a whole lot of people out there with no plans to visit the US in the next 2 years and will be totally oblivious.

 

[venny]

Is it just me or is it slightly ironic, that the US are going to charge a group of people, to fund an organisation which is trying to attract that same group of people?

Or has this plan not been thought through entirely?

 

[mollies_mum]

Hi, is this fee for each person? Does it apply for children as well, we will be travelling with an 11 year old and a 1 year old, ive never had to do this before, thanks

 

[scottishgirl87]

Hi, is this fee for each person? Does it apply for children as well, we will be travelling with an 11 year old and a 1 year old, ive never had to do this before, thanks

Yes it's per person.

You haven't had to do it before as the charge comes into effect on the 8th September.

 

[2Tiggies]

For those who travel at least once a year, it works out to $7 per person per trip - less if you go more often It's the folk who can't afford travel to the US regularly who really bear the brunt of the cost.

Now once the fee comes into effect, if any airline has the audacity to hand out a silly green form, I think we should charge them $4 admin fee.

 

[scottishgirl87]

For those who travel at least once a year, it works out to $7 per person per trip - less if you go more often It's the folk who can't afford travel to the US regularly who really bear the brunt of the cost.

Now once the fee comes into effect, if any airline has the audacity to hand out a silly green form, I think we should charge them $4 admin fee.

I thought most airlines had stopped this anyway??? I was wondering if we'd still have to fill them out on my flight to NY next year.

Am I correct in saying that even when the green forms go you still have to fill out the white "family" form?

 

[babystar]

So if I apply for a new Esta on the 5th Sep and fly out on the 4th Sep 2 years later will this still be included on the original ESTA? Or does the Esta have to be valid for the entire trip?

Cheers

 

[scottishgirl87]

So if I apply for a new Esta on the 5th Sep and fly out on the 4th Sep 2 years later will this still be included on the original ESTA? Or does the Esta have to be valid for the entire trip?

Cheers

It has to be valid for the whole trip

 

[kerstfan1]

im sorry but on the offical site of esta it states that there is no fee to do it

 

[Pegasus928]

im sorry but on the offical site of esta it states that there is no fee to do it

There isn't yet.
I haven't searched the official site so don't know if they are advertising it on there - but my guess is they won't as they will not want a sudden rush of applications.

 

[kerstfan1]

it says on the the site from dhs that it is not from the offical goverment if they charge for it and it is not sanctioned

 

[2Tiggies]

I thought most airlines had stopped this anyway??? I was wondering if we'd still have to fill them out on my flight to NY next year.

Mixed reports so far this year about the green forms. It seems to depend on the airline. They do seem to be phasing them out, but they are still around.

it says on the the site from dhs that it is not from the offical goverment if they charge for it and it is not sanctioned

I don't see them changing this until shortly before or at the time the changes come into effect, for the reasons Kenny stated.

 

[scottishgirl87]

For those doubting this, Reuters are now reporting on it....

EU regrets U.S. fee for visa-waiver scheme

BRUSSELS | Fri Aug 6, 2010 4:20pm BST

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Plans by the United States to charge travelers a $14 fee for its visa waiver program are regrettable and inconsistent with a U.S. commitment to ease transatlantic travel, the European Union said on Friday.

The levy will be required from September 8, when an interim U.S. rule covering the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) becomes effective, the European Commission said.

"I regret very much the fee established by the interim rule," EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in a statement, saying she had repeatedly raised concerns about the introduction of a fee that may deter or complicate travel.

"I remain convinced that these new requirements ... are inconsistent with the commitment of the U.S. to facilitate transatlantic mobility and will be an additional onus for European citizens traveling to the U.S.," she said.

The ESTA system requires travelers to complete an online application form, answering questions they previously had to respond to on paper forms aboard flights or ships bound for the United States.

The questions include whether a passenger has a communicable disease, a physical or mental disorder, abuses drugs, has been convicted of certain criminal offences, or been involved in espionage, terrorism or genocide.

When the EU first studied the introduction of ESTA in December 2008, it did not believe the system was tantamount to a visa application process, which can incur a fee.

The Commission said it now would carry out a definitive assessment of the ESTA, once U.S. authorities published the final rules. It stressed that the fee requirement would be a factor in the assessment.

 

[tashasmum]

Just a little update, we flew with virgin on the 8th july and there were none of those nasty green forms but still had to do the other family form. I know of some people that went out in May/ june and had to fill both in.

 

[kristieuk]

it says on the the site from dhs that it is not from the offical goverment if they charge for it and it is not sanctioned

It is well documented that a charge is to be introduced. It is free at the moment, but lots of unscrupulous companies are making $$$$ by confusing people with official looking websites - albeit it does seem they do actually complete the ESTA form for you.

I think that is why the official site warns against making any payment. But it seems from 8th September, the official site will alter so that the charge has to be paid. I hope that makes sense!

 

[wickesy]

It has to be valid for the whole trip

Is that based on anything official? The only reason I ask is that in my view it is a travel authorisation and merely allows you to travel to the US, it is then down to the Immigration official at the airport to grant you permission to enter and stay, meaning that as long as your authorisation is valid on the day you travel you are fine. I'm happy to be proved wrong though.