ABTA urges holidaymakers to avoid US visa charge
ABTA is urging holidaymakers planning trips to the USA within the next two years to apply online for their ESTA before charges of $14 per person come in on 8 September.
By applying early a family of four will save $56, approximately £40, it said.
All passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Program must have a valid ESTA to gain entry to the USA.
The US Government has introduced the charge to fund promotion of the USA and with on average four million visitors arriving in the USA from the UK, British visitors will contribute up to $56 million a year.
ABTA Head of Public Affairs Luke Pollard said: "We fully support the US Government’s wish to encourage people to visit their country. However charging visitors $14 each to fund this drive seems a rather odd way of doing so.
"Customers should go online to obtain their ESTA before 8 September to avoid the charge." An ESTA is valid for two years. To apply for an ESTA go online to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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