August 23, 2010
Beginning September, 8, 2010, registrants of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) must pay a $14 registration fee. Successful registrants will receive authorization under the program valid for up two years provided that there is a valid passport covering the same period of time. The ESTA is an automated systems that pre-determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA registration became mandatory on January 12, 2009. The $14 registration fee will be used to fund a travel promotion program authorized in the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 signed into law on March 4, 2010 by President Obama. The registration fee may be paid by most credit cards and debit cards. Exisiting ESTA registrations will remain valid until their expiration date. More information is available here.
