U.S.: ESTA fee to increase (again)

At the end of last September, the U.S. administration made a strong move: the ESTA, required to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), saw its fee jump from $21 to $40 due to the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1).

A steep increase, justified by a restructuring of the system’s funding and the introduction of several fixed fee components. This hike already marked a turning point for travelers, as the cost of the electronic authorization had never risen so sharply since its launch in 2009.

For 2026, the authorities are returning to a much quieter mechanism: the annual adjustment based on inflation, as provided by law. This time, there’s no real shock to the fee, just a symbolic rounding that will still affect millions of travelers, especially fans expected for the 2026 World Cup.

The ESTA fee will increase in 2026, but travelers’ wallets should survive the hit

As stated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in an official notice published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2025, the ESTA will soon be subject to a tiny fee adjustment.

Starting January 1, 2026, the ESTA fee will rise from $40 to… $40.27. A microscopic increase (+$0.27), driven by the evolution of the U.S. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), which rose 2.70% this year.

In practical terms, only one of the three ESTA fee components is affected:

• $17 for the tourism promotion fund (unchanged)
• $13 for the second fixed program component (unchanged)
• $10 → $10.27 for ESTA system management costs (the only part indexed to inflation)

The calculation allows no rounding, resulting in this ultra-precise adjustment that is more amusing than frustrating. If an authorization is denied, the traveler will pay only the “management cost” portion, now set at $10.27.

What is the purpose of ESTA, and who is eligible?

The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is the electronic authorization that allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States without a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days.

The application is completed online, and once approved, the authorization is valid for two years or until the passport expires. The goal is to simplify travel while maintaining a level of pre-screening before entering U.S. territory.

Here is the list of the 42 countries currently eligible for ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program: