V-Flyer

Time to re-apply now to get 2 free years.

DHS are about to charge.

Thanks for the heads up, time to 'forget' my ESTA and reapply [:w]

Done also Instant renewal 'til 2012 Thanks!

Done also, saw this yesterday but forgot so thanks for the heads up.

Ooop. I lost my number. Oh well....

All approved again

Could someone please answer the guy that posted on that story to point out what the UK government charges for the pleasure of coming to the UK to spend money.

Also done [:D]

Silly me for forgetting that number!

Opppps just lost my original application as well.

Oh well, another application done and re-approved here too for another 2 years.

Regards

quote:Originally posted by Bill S
Time to re-apply now to get 2 free years.

DHS are about to charge.


Must be costing a fortune to fund the TSA

[:o)]

I updated mine about a month ago, but that means it has only a year left to run. Will it be a problem if I re-apply?

quote:Originally posted by catsilversword
I updated mine about a month ago, but that means it has only a year left to run. Will it be a problem if I re-apply?


No it won't. Just reapply.

OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re-applied and approved, thanks for that.

Just recalled, if your passport expires within two years, the ESTA will only extend to passport expiration. Damn.

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
Just recalled, if your passport expires within two years, the ESTA will only extend to passport expiration. Damn.


I am in the same position - new passport required before my current ESTA expires. Hey Ho!

Thanks for the heads up though, Bill. [y]

Nick

Do we have any government sources with timeframes to say that ESTA will become chargeable?

Thanks,
Sarah

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't there a charge for the ESTA equivalent for trips to Australia?

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Do we have any government sources with timeframes to say that ESTA will become chargeable?

Thanks,
Sarah

US Travel Association summarizes the Travel Promotion Bill which quote: is funded through a matching program featuring up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. The fee will be collected once every two years in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Securitys Electronic System for Travel Authorization. No money is provided by U.S. taxpayers.
The actual Act passed on 25th Feb by Senate includes:
quote:(e) TRAVEL PROMOTION FUND FEES.Section 217(h)(3)(B) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187(h)(3)(B)) is
amended to read as follows:
(B) FEES.
(i) IN GENERAL.No later than 6 months after
the date of enactment of the Travel Promotion Act
of 2009, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall
establish a fee for the use of the System and begin
assessment and collection of that fee. The initial fee
shall be the sum of
(I) $10 per travel authorization; and
(II) an amount that will at least ensure
recovery of the full costs of providing and administering
the System, as determined by the Secretary.

It is expected to be signed by President Obama in the next few days.
So it could be up to 6 months before they actually charge.
I suspect we will not get much, if any, advance warning.

Note it is not just $10 but must include costs of collection and administration.

quote:Originally posted by Treelo
Correct me if I am wrong but isn't there a charge for the ESTA equivalent for trips to Australia?


there is a charge for the ETA (Australia) $20, but British and European citizens can no longer get an ETA.

They need to use the eVisitor service instead - which is free

Thanks Bill. I will await the official news of charging with some trepidation. I really cant see how this is a positive move for the US.

Thanks,
Sarah

I really did lose my number and wasn't going to re-apply till next year but this post gave me a push, so now have new numbers.

Thank-you Bill for the heads up.

It's still free by the way.

y) It's possible it will remain free for up to 6 months after the Bill was signed.
It all depends upon how prepared they are to start taking payment - we might not get much warning!