Charge for permission to enter US

[cory777]

Source: Press Association

The US is to start charging UK travellers nearly £10 to apply for permission to enter the country.

From September 8, people will have to pay 14 dollars (£9) to use the compulsory Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta). Of the fee, 10 dollars will apparently go to a fund to promote US tourism with four dollars covering administration.

The Esta form takes up to 72 hours to be approved and gives air passengers prior approval for entry to the US. It is currently free to obtain, and lasts for two years. People who already have a valid form will not have to pay until their current one expires.

snip

He added: "It is rather strange that this fee is mainly going to promote US tourism. You would have thought keeping it cheaper to get in would help more - after all, it's free for most Americans to come here."

Read more: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100807/tuk-charge-for-permission-to-enter-us-6323e80.html

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[Sherman A1]

1. this will work out well.....

:banghead:

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. It gets better still...

the latest group to be singled out for harassment at customs is British citizens with US vacation homes, for decades a B2 Visa has been considered sufficient for this purpose - now it seems the intent is to treat them as potential illegal immigrants.

Not that Florida needs the business...

[dipsydoodle]

3. Its also part of

the permission to fly lark. If you're on the stop / no fly list whatever I don't think its issued anyway. Got mine last September and yes it lasts a couple of years. I've still got one of the platinum oldies stamped in a an old passport too which apparently remains valid - multiple entry / indefinate period of validity. Now 90 day stays I guess - was 6 months originally I think. Its hardly an onerous fee. I'd assume the EU will reciprocate.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. 28% administrative cost?

[Downwinder]

5. When are they going to start charging for permission to leave?