Cost of visiting US for Brits and others will rise soon

Travel to the United States will soon get more expensive for some foreign visitors.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last Friday (August 6) that from September 8, applications for an electronic travel authorizarion (ESTA) to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will cost $14.

The Visa Waiver Program enables people from 36 countries, including the UK, to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. However, such travellers are required to obtain an ESTA prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US. Once approved it lasts for two years.