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Brits charged £9 to enter US

Formalities 02/03/2011

Tourists travelling to the United States will soon be required to pay an application fee of $USD14 (£9) to enter the country, as part of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

US officials claim the fee, which comes into effect on Wednesday 8 September, will be used to promote tourism.

ESTA applies to nationals of 36 European countries that currently enjoy visa waiver status, while other visitors to the US that require a visa pay a fee of $USD140 (£85) and upwards.

An ESTA approval is valid for two years which includes multiple entries into the United States.

The online system, which has been gradually introduced since 2008, is now compulsory for all US visitors and takes up to 72 hours for a potential visitor to be approved entry.

Currently, four million Britons visit the US every year.

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