U.S. ESTA Fee Increase to $40 in September 2025: How to Avoid Higher Costs!

Starting September 30, 2025, the fee for applying for the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will almost double, going up from $21 to $40.

This is the biggest fees increase since the ESTA program started, and it will affect millions of travelers visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

CBP Confirms ESTA Fee Hike

On August 28, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officially announced that the ESTA application fee will rise from $21 to $40 starting September 30, 2025. This nearly 90 percent jump marks the biggest increase since the program began.

What is ESTA?

ESTA is an online travel authorization that allows citizens of certain countries to visit the U.S. for short stays without applying for a visa.

• It is required for both tourists and business travelers.
• An ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires.
• Each stay can be up to 90 days.
• You must apply online before traveling.

Without ESTA, travelers from these countries cannot board flights or ships heading to the United States.

Why is the Fee Increasing?

The fee hike comes from a new U.S. law called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed in July 2025. This law changes how immigration and border control systems are funded.

Under the new rules, the ESTA fee is made up of three parts:

• $17 (existing base fee)
• $10 (minimum additional charge)
• $13 (new fee added in 2025)

That brings the total to $40 starting September 30, 2025.

Countries Affected by ESTA Fee Hike

The fee hike applies to all travelers from the 42 countries that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. These include:

• Most European Union countries (like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands)
• United Kingdom
• Japan
• South Korea
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• Chile
• And several others

If your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program, you must apply for ESTA before traveling to the U.S., and from September 30, 2025, you’ll pay $40 instead of $21.

How Travelers Can Avoid the Higher Fee

The good news is that you can still pay the old price if you apply before the change.

• Any ESTA application submitted before September 30, 2025 will cost $21.
• The authorization will remain valid for two years, even after the price increases.
• Families or groups can save a lot by applying early. For example, four travelers applying today pay $84 in total. After the hike, the same group will pay $160.

So if you plan to visit the U.S. in late 2025 or even in 2026, it’s worth applying for ESTA now and locking in the lower fee.

Other Fee Increases in 2025

It’s not just ESTA that’s changing. Two other U.S. entry systems will also see higher fees starting September 30, 2025:

• The I-94 form, used for land entries, will rise from $6 to $30.
• The EVUS system, required for Chinese citizens with 10-year U.S. visitor visas, will now cost $30.

What This Means for Travelers

For most regular visitors, $40 may not seem huge, but the increase will be noticeable for families, students, and budget travelers. Tourism experts warn it could discourage some occasional visitors.

Still, ESTA remains the simplest way for travelers from Visa Waiver countries to enter the United States without applying for a visa.