EU home affairs chief slams US tourist tax
Cecilia Malmstroem - Photo EU Council
(BRUSSELS) - European Union home affairs chief Cecilia Malmstroem warned on Friday that newly-increased US fees for tourist entry application processing amount to backdoor visa trading.
She was responding to an announcement in Washington of raised levies for citizens of countries with which the United States has agreed visa-waiver deals which becomes effective on September 8.
"I regret very much the fee established," Malmstroem said after Washington increased a 10-dollar (7.50 euros) "travel promotion fee" by another four dollars per online application "to ensure the recovery of the full costs of providing and administering the ESTA," according to her office.
"I have repeatedly raised concerns about the introduction of this fee and I remain convinced that these new requirements, applicable only to travellers under the Visa Waiver Program, are inconsistent with the commitment of the US to facilitate transatlantic mobility and will be an additional onus for European citizens travelling to the US."
The EU executive said it "will carry out a definitive assessment" on the modified US plans.
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