Starting September 30, the price of the ESTA electronic permit, which allows you to travel to the United States without a visa traditional, will go from 21 to 40 dollars. The change will apply immediately to all citizens of the 42 countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program. In the case of Chile, the only Latin American country within the initiative, the increase will affect thousands of tourists who usually make purchases, visit family or travel on business to the North American country.
How much does the Visa Waiver cost starting in October?
The ESTA is the document that allows entry to the United States for a maximum of 90 days for tourism or business purposes. This program visa Simplified includes most European countries, plus Israel, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. In the case of Chile, the benefit has been active since 2014, and represents an advantage over other countries in the region that have yet to apply for a traditional visa at the US consulate.
The increase in the value of the ESTA was approved by the United States Congress within a fiscal package promoted by the Donald Trump administration. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the measure seeks to cover three main areas:
- A tourist promotion rate,
- A system operation fee,
- A contribution to the general fund of the Treasury.
The new collection scheme reflects the government’s intention to reinforce collection linked to the visa temporary entry, in addition to financing stricter immigration measures.
The US Government also announced adjustments for other categories of visa. For example, the H-1B permit, intended for specialized workers, will rise from $215 to $1,000. In addition, a new fee of $250 will be imposed on most nonimmigrant visas, which cover tourism, study, exchange and work. These modifications will come into effect from October and they seek to balance the administrative expenses of the different visa programs offered by the country.
Currently, Chileans pay $21 to process the ESTA. With the new rate, the value will reach 40 dollars, approximately $38,000. The procedure must be carried out through the official website of the Department of Homeland Security and is mandatory for all travelers who want to enter under the system. Visa Waiver.
