Holidaymakers completing the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in preparation for a trip to the US will be charged a $14 (£9) processing fee from today onwards, The Daily Mail has reported.
The website handling ESTA applications experienced a massive surge in traffic yesterday as travellers logged on in an attempt to beat the charge.
Rather than having to obtain a full visa, citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program are required to complete the ESTA at least 72 hours prior to travelling.
Once obtained, authorisation lasts for two years, meaning that holidaymakers can travel to the States multiple times within this period without having to submit their details again.
Visit USA chair, Kate Burgess Craddy, said of the charge, "It's still a very small proportion of the cost of a holiday, and it’s also quite comparable to what many other countries will often charge for visa tax or departure or arrival taxes."
For those planning a trip to the States, USA travel insurance is available online or over the phone from leading provider InsureandGo.