Every tourist visiting U.S. to be charged £9 fee for electronic visa

Travellers to the U.S. face a £9 fee for an electronic visa under a scheme to raise money to support the American tourism industry.



The charge of $14 (£9) comes into effect on September 8 for people from 36 nations.



The charge applies to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation which British tourists have been required to fill online since January 2009 before being granted entry to the U.S.



The £9 charge applies to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation

The ESTA, which has so far been free, is an alternative to applying for a full visa, which is more complex.



Martin Lewis said Britons could avoid the fee if they apply for the ESTA now

Martin Lewis, of MoneySavingExpert, said Britons could avoid the fee if they apply for the ESTA now.



Travel authorisation runs for two years before it has to be renewed. 'Leave it a month, and you'll have to pay for it,' he added.



'It's rather strange that this fee is going towards promoting US tourism.



You would've thought keeping it cheaper to get in would help more.



'After all, it's free for them to come here,' he said.



EU commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom criticised the fee, saying it would 'complicate travel'.



