Trump's ‘big new' visa fee could slug thousands of Australian travellers
Most Australians visiting the US as tourists enter the country under the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, known as the ESTA waiver program, and will have to pay a small increase for the cost of the waiver – from $US21 ($32) to $US40 ($60).
The US Department of Homeland Security has the authority to begin the new 'visa integrity fee' from October 1.
It can be applied to anyone who is not eligible for the ESTA visa waiver, including the Visa H-1B (specialty occupations), Visa F-1 (academic student), Visa B-1/B-2 (business visitor/tourist visitor), and Visa J-1 (exchange visitor).
People will need to pay the charge once their visa application is approved – in addition to the cost of the visa.
The fee will also apply to intra-company transferees (Visa L-1) or the visa category for extraordinary ability or achievement in arts, athletics and sciences (Visa O-1).
Not everyone can qualify for the ESTA waiver. Among exclusions are people with criminal records or certain dual-nationalities.
Travellers in line to be slugged by the 'visa integrity fee' could be eligible to recoup the full cost after legally exiting the country.
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