On August 6, 2010, the United States Customs and Border Protection agency announced the implementation of a $14 fee beginning September 8 for applications made through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This fee is based upon the costs incurred for administering the system and as established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009.

This fee affects all travelers visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers in possession of a United States visa or already with an approved ESTA will not need to pay a fee, however, they will be subject to the fee when applying for a new ESTA. ESTA authorization is good for two years.

The United State Embassy in Budapest would like to remind all travelers that completion of an ESTA is required for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. We recommend that the ESTA be completed at least 72 hours prior to travel.

The application for the ESTA can be found on the Embassy's website.

This is the only official site for obtaining an ESTA. Payment of the $14 fee by credit card will be built into the application process by September 8. All third-party services offering to facilitate completion of the ESTA are not affiliated with the U.S. Embassy and have no influence on the ESTA approval or processing time. We advise travelers to exercise caution and to scrutinize the services provided before using any third-party service."

Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest