21 hours ago
Blow to Brits as tourist visa for US holidays to cost MUCH more
And the other rules that could impact British holidaymakers
PRICE TAG Blow to Brits as tourist visa for US holidays to cost MUCH more
A TRIP to the USA is set to get more expensive for Brits.
Thanks to a new bill being passed, the price of an ESTA is set to double from $21 (£15.38) to $40 (£29.30).
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Brits are required to apply for an ESTA before visiting the states
Credit: Alamy
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The new 'Beautiful Bill' means ESTAs will double in price
Credit: Alamy
Before entering the US, Brits are required to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The fee is currently $21 (£15.38) to apply for an ESTA - a price which was introduced in May 2022.
Prior to this date, the fee was $14 (£10.25) and will now rise to $40 (£29.30) although an official start date is yet to be confirmed.
The rise in fees is part of US President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill".
The current rules require every visitor from the UK to apply for an ESTA to be allowed access into the United States.
An ESTA is generally valid for two years from the date of approval, or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first.
If your passport expires before the two-year period, your ESTA will be valid only until the passport's expiration date.
You'll need to apply for a new ESTA if you get a new passport or if your current ESTA expires.
US Travel's President and CEO Geoff Freeman fears the increased fees will "do nothing to improve the travel experience and only discourage visitation.'
I travelled to America to try the viral TikTok shop Crumbl
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Visitors will have to pay $40 (£29.30) from $21 (£15.38)
Credit: Alamy
America isn't the only place increasing fees for a visa.
The EU is gearing up to introduce the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) scheme next year.
This swiftly follows the introduction of the new Entry/Exit system.
ETIAS will be a requirement for any non-EU national from a visa-exempt countries, including the UK, for short-term stays in the Schengen Area.
And the online fee to enter the ETIAS scheme could be more than initially planned.
Current plans for travellers heading from outside the bloc include them paying €7 (£6.04) as part of an online application.
However, now the European Union is looking to raise that price, even though the scheme hasn't launched yet.
For anyone heading to America, here are the latest travel tips.
And here are 12 bizarre things one Sun Travel Writer discovered when she lived in the US for 3 months.
