Blow to Brits as tourist visa for US holidays to cost MUCH more
PRICE TAG Blow to Brits as tourist visa for US holidays to cost MUCH more
A TRIP to the USA is set to get more expensive for Brits.
Thanks to a new bill being passed, the price of an ESTA is set to double from $21 (£15.38) to $40 (£29.30).
4
Brits are required to apply for an ESTA before visiting the states
Credit: Alamy
4
The new 'Beautiful Bill' means ESTAs will double in price
Credit: Alamy
Before entering the US, Brits are required to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The fee is currently $21 (£15.38) to apply for an ESTA - a price which was introduced in May 2022.
Prior to this date, the fee was $14 (£10.25) and will now rise to $40 (£29.30) although an official start date is yet to be confirmed.
The rise in fees is part of US President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill".
The current rules require every visitor from the UK to apply for an ESTA to be allowed access into the United States.
An ESTA is generally valid for two years from the date of approval, or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first.
If your passport expires before the two-year period, your ESTA will be valid only until the passport's expiration date.
You'll need to apply for a new ESTA if you get a new passport or if your current ESTA expires.
US Travel's President and CEO Geoff Freeman fears the increased fees will "do nothing to improve the travel experience and only discourage visitation.'
I travelled to America to try the viral TikTok shop Crumbl
4
Visitors will have to pay $40 (£29.30) from $21 (£15.38)
Credit: Alamy
America isn't the only place increasing fees for a visa.
The EU is gearing up to introduce the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) scheme next year.
This swiftly follows the introduction of the new Entry/Exit system.
ETIAS will be a requirement for any non-EU national from a visa-exempt countries, including the UK, for short-term stays in the Schengen Area.
And the online fee to enter the ETIAS scheme could be more than initially planned.
Current plans for travellers heading from outside the bloc include them paying €7 (£6.04) as part of an online application.
However, now the European Union is looking to raise that price, even though the scheme hasn't launched yet.
For anyone heading to America, here are the latest travel tips.
And here are 12 bizarre things one Sun Travel Writer discovered when she lived in the US for 3 months.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Exact length of time you stay happy after a holiday revealed – and it's MUCH longer than previously thought
Taking on physical activities on holidays like snorkelling also help to disconnect BREAK BOOST Exact length of time you stay happy after a holiday revealed – and it's MUCH longer than previously thought Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLIDAY happiness lasts up to six weeks after we get home, according to a study. Researchers found our good mood remains for as long as 43 days — more than double the 21 days that experts previously thought. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A new study proves it is important for staff to take holidays as the after-effects can last for weeks Credit: Getty It means regular breaks from work are key to easing stress and returning fully-refreshed. The US research analysed data from 32 previous studies that tracked people's wellbeing before and after a holiday from work. It found they took more than six weeks to return to usual stress levels — double the three weeks recorded previously. No specific type of holiday was best but people were happier if they could disconnect from work and do physical activities such as hiking, sightseeing or snorkelling. Longer breaks were typically more relaxing but the benefits recorded afterwards dropped off more steeply. Study author Ryan Grant, a PhD student at the University of Georgia, said: 'Vacations create longer-lasting benefits than previously thought. 'Job demands and job stress are on the rise but people think that they can't take time off because they don't want to look bad or lose out on an opportunity for promotion. 'We think working more is better, but we actually perform better by taking care of ourselves. "We need to break up these intense periods of work with intense periods of rest and recuperation.' Writing in the Journal of Applied Psychology, he said of holiday highs: 'The decrease is not as steep and fleeting as previously thought. Five stunning, little-known holiday destinations 'If you're not at work but you're thinking about work on vacation, you might as well be at the office. 'Vacations are one of the few opportunities we get to fully just disconnect from work.' Most full-time employees in the UK are entitled to 28 days of annual leave per year. Brits go abroad a combined 86million times a year and millions of us also take staycations at home. Our favourite destinations for a foreign holiday, according to the Office for National Statistics, are Spain, France, Italy and Greece.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I stayed at the oldest hotel in England which is right by the Cotswolds
The hotel has 34 rooms spread across the main building as well as in the adjoining coach house YES MALM I stayed at the oldest hotel in England which is right by the Cotswolds Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STARING up at the long eyelashes of a giraffe's head, I wonder if I've mistakenly walked into an African safari lodge . . . in Wiltshire. But as I survey the luxurious lobby — with cosy couches and tinkling piano music — I decide it's just what I need to soothe my Glastonbury hangover. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The historic market town of Malmesbury has been named as one of the best places in the UK to live Credit: Alamy 4 The Old Bell Hotel lays claim to being the oldest hotel in England, opening back in 1220 Credit: Peter Majdan Less than 50 miles from Worthy Farm, The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury is the perfect spot for some post-party pampering this summer. Tucked away in the shadows of the 12th-century Malmesbury Abbey, which once had the highest spire in Europe, The Old Bell first opened in 1220 and lays claim to being the oldest hotel in England. Unlike other Cotswolds hotels, which, let's be honest, can sometimes be a little twee, The Old Bell is like the circus has come to town. Owned by Texan antiques dealer Whit Hanks and his wife Kim since 2021, in a few short years, they've turned it into a gorgeous, if a little eccentric, country hotel. Ancient honeyed stone walls, mullion windows and draping wisteria give way to a quirky, colourful interior. The decor can only be described as whimsical and fun. Think monkeys swinging from the wooden beams in the bar, faux animal heads in the lobby and botanical-themed wall coverings everywhere. It's a delight. And even more so as we're welcomed by cheery staff offering a hair-of-the-dog glass of fizz. The hotel has 34 rooms spread across the main building as well as in the adjoining coach house, all named after folk who have a history with the place. Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms are maximalist in design, with vibrant, colourful wallpaper and quirky, antique furniture. From Cumbria to Wiltshire, the best spa staycations for the festive season Our room was a delight, dominated by a vast, comfy bed covered in a rainbow of soft throws and cushions, while a menagerie of monkeys and peacocks danced across the wallpaper. The beautiful furnishings included huge gilt mirrors, a restored antique desk with a baby blue vintage telephone and a cosy armchair perfect for gazing out of the window. The fancy Victorian bathroom featured a big, deep bath and was packed with lovely local Bramley toiletries and a Dyson hairdryer. While I was there to recover from festival fever, the location in the southern Cotswolds meant there was plenty to see and do in the area. 4 The hotel has 34 rooms spread across the main building as well as in the adjoining coach house Credit: Peter Majdan 4 Our room was a delight, dominated by a vast, comfy bed covered in soft throws and cushions Credit: Peter Majdan Flying monk The helpful team at The Old Bell can arrange a guided tour of the King's gardens in nearby Highgrove House, a visit to Westonbirt Arboretum or paddleboarding at Cotswold Water Park. However, it's just as nice to potter around Malmesbury. This year the historic market town was named as one of The Sunday Times' Best Places To Live and I can see why. Alongside its grand old abbey, it has the full set of cutesy tea rooms, gift shops and bougie boutiques but also a cool craft beer scene thanks to The Flying Monk Brewery and Tap Room. And it's not short of history either. The town is the oldest borough of England and former home of Athelstan the Glorious, who was crowned the first King of England in 924. It's also where the famous flying monk, Britain's first aviator, came from. In the 11th century, a local Benedictine monk called Eilmer claimed to have seen Halley's comet in 989 and 1066 and decided he wanted a piece of that sky pie. He fashioned himself a pair of wings and threw himself off a local tower, gliding for some 200 metres before crashing and breaking both legs. You can read more about this legend in the Athelstan Museum. Malmesbury has a clutch of proper pubs serving food, but dinner at The Old Bell is a must. We treated ourselves to the Chef's Menu at its Abbey Row restaurant, a five-course tasting menu with hand-picked Orkney scallops, Cornish turbot, Iberico pork and Wagyu sirloin. After a good night's sleep in a proper bed and a Malmesbury full English, it turns out the road to a festival recovery leads directly to Malmesbury.
Western Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Brits warned about Brexit rule that imposes 3 year ban
Going away is exciting, but before setting off, it's important for anyone planning to visit certain countries to be well-informed. This is especially true in the post-Brexit era, which has seen the introduction of new regulations in recent years. "Brexit has ruined this country, and now the majority of Britons thinks so too." RT if you are that — BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) June 24, 2025 Before the UK left the EU, British passport holders could enter countries without needing to get their travel document stamped, and were allowed to stay for any duration. However, under current rules, UK travellers are limited to a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180 days in any Schengen Area country. The Schengen area is made up of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, as well as four non-EU nations: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Additionally, travellers' passports must have a "date of issue" within the last 10 years before their arrival date and an "expiry date" that is at least three months after their planned departure from the Schengen area. Recommended reading: According to Foreign Office advice, failing to comply with these regulations when visiting Spain or other Schengen countries, such as Greece, France, and Italy, may result in a lengthy ban. The Foreign Office guidance for Greece warns: "If you're travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days." "If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years."
