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ARTICLE · 25 AUGUST 2010

DHS to Institute Fee for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Visa Waiver Program

Morgan Lewis
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Under the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to pay operational and travel promotion fees when applying for ESTA beginning September 8, 2010.

United StatesImmigration
Eleanor Pelta
Eleanor Pelta
Eric Bord
Eric Bord
Lance Nagel
Lance Nagel
A. James Vázquez-Azpiri
A. James Vázquez-Azpiri

Under the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to pay operational and travel promotion fees when applying for ESTA beginning September 8, 2010. The total fee will be $14.00, $4.00 of which will be used to recover the cost of administering the ESTA system; the remaining $10.00 is mandated in the TPA. This is the first time that a fee has been required for applications to ESTA.

What Is ESTA?

ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of nationals and citizens from a VWP country to board a carrier for travel by air or sea to the United States. If approved, the authorization is valid for multiple entries for up to two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever is shorter. ESTA does not guarantee admission to the United States. Customs and Border Protection officers will still make a determination of admissibility at the U.S. port

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