Travel to theStates. ESTA? Free or $45??

[lacuna bless]

I have just applied for m ESTA anpaid$45 and I hae been told it cn be free??

[dzug]

It's free if you get it yourself from the US government.

You can pay a company to get it for you and they will charge a fee for their services.

[Rollo]

You should have applied online.

It's free.

[Rollo]

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c17DCA5CD-515C-F523-7C87-FD0DEF696E03_k3FE9ABF1-EF44-65D7-57B3-073B645328A8

[lacuna bless]

I did apply on-line. Thats so annoying, have asked for a refund from esta.uk.

[ojread2]

it is unlikely you wil receive your refund im afraid

[jno]

that's the trouble, you google it and the first thing that comes up is these commercial concerns who lead you to believe they're official. They aren't. You get them free from the US government site - cut and paste the link Rollo gives.

But at least the approval you get is good for two years.

[kempie]

That link again...

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html

[Dee Sa]

when I paid for my USA airtickets at the travel agents, the guy did for all three of us in under 5 mins for free, all part of the travel agents service !
it is misleading but you should have had a good look first, you obviously wont get a refund it is a service and you agreed to it. I wonder how many others have been duped too ?

[marmoset1]

Yes, it is free. Got ours online. Have just returned from the US (Chicago) and no one was interested in our ESTA! When we asked why, the immigration official just said the system was obviously working as we all had them! We didn't try to argue with that.

[auntiebertie]

You have been robbed. ESTA is free.