Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Maltese to re-start paying to visit US
Maltese nationals visiting the US, either for business or pleasure, will have to start paying a new €11 fee as from today, less than two years after visa restrictions had been lifted.
The proceeds from this controversial fee, being introduced to all EU citizens whose country is a member of the US visa waiver programme, would be invested in tourism and for the running of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), a new scheme introduced to replace the visa and which aims to check the “suitability” of a traveller to enter the US.
The EU has already warned the US on this measure and is considering taking counter measures, possibly a visa regime.
Only a few days ago, European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said the EU regretted the US decision and would be deciding whether the measure was comparable to a visa.
In 2008, the EU had accepted the American decision to come up with a travel authorisation after the US widened the number of EU member states within its visa waiver programme. However, Brussels had warned Washington against taking any measures that could constitute the disguised return of the visa.
“I have voiced my concerns over the creation of this tax on a number of occasions and I remain convinced that this obligation in the framework of the ESTA to visa-exempted travellers alone is incompatible with the commitment made by the United States to facilitate transatlantic mobility,” Ms Malmstrom said. “This tax will represent an additional charge on EU citizens travelling to the US,” she lamented.
Although Malta joined the EU in 2004 it was only admitted to the visa waiver programme at the end of 2008 after meeting all the requirements made by the US authorities.
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Joe Portelli
Sep 8th 2010, 17:41
I have seen better civilised communities in the so called 3rd World countries than in the larger part of the USA , so they wish to start charging us for this priveledge , or perhaps to keep us away, more likely?
An embarressment to human evolution !!!!!!!!! Richest country in the world ranks amongst the most violent and less caring towards its own poor - at least that's my impression over the last 30 years...
J. Farrugia Snr.
Sep 8th 2010, 19:32
This is a typical YankEE Move, as far as we are concerned they can keep that violent country cowboys / indians and all, cause there is no better place then Malta our home, i watched a programe a while back on British TV about obtaining a green card and how much money one must have to emmigrate to this so called country of the FREE except for the 11€! my ass and if i had the chance i would eract a great big poster saying; YANKS GO HOME. put your money where your mouth is, OH and practice what you yanks preach. J. Farrugia- Gozo
Sandro Magri
Sep 8th 2010, 16:43
L-aqwa li tajnihom l-art ghall ambaxxata,w hafna ftahir
Is-soltu wasalna fi stat tal biki!!
P Trentam
Sep 8th 2010, 11:23
Whats this fee for?so they can take DNA samples of us to go with the finger prints, eye scans and access to our Maltese bank accounts?
They would have to pay me to visit the Police States of America.
George Farrugia
Sep 8th 2010, 11:18
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, with so many beautiful, reasonably-priced destinations with a genuinely warm welcome (much closer to home or easily-reached), why would I bother to visit paranoid places which make me feel truly unwelcome?
Peter Murray
Sep 8th 2010, 10:51
Simple solution.All EU countries effected by this tax-whose primary purpose is to fund the American Tourist industry -should immediately start charging a similar fee for American passport holders to visit those countries.
J Galea
Sep 8th 2010, 10:47
Tiny Malta cannot do a thing when confronted with these barriers to movement but the EU is another matter. It is about time this thing was tackled on completely reciprocal grounds. The ESTA regime is a long term visa regime in all but name. Data is submitted and verified and now payment needs to be made. The EU should insist on the same treatment for US nationals visting Europe. Only tough action will ensure mutual respect.