Scots join rush for US permits

AN AMERICAN travel permit website struggled yesterday to cope with the rush from the UK in the final few hours before a £9 charge for the permit was introduced.

Holidaying Scots do not need visas to enter the US but have to complete an Esta (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) form.

From today the US government is charging $14 (9) for an Esta which had hitherto been free to those applying through the official US Embassy website and which lasts for two years.

Yesterday, many of those trying to get on to the link to the site found they could not do so or that it was taking a long time.