If you're heading to the United States in the coming months, be aware that the cost of an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is going up.

Starting 30th September 2025, the fee will increase from $21 to $40 per person.

To avoid paying the higher fee, you must fully submit your ESTA application before 30th September. Simply starting the application isn’t enough, you need to complete and submit it by the deadline to qualify for the current lower rate.

To quote from the official ESTA website:

The fee for travelers intending to travel to the United States with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) has increased from $21 to $40.

The ESTA application fee is now made up of three parts, the travel promotion fee, the operational fee, and the Treasury General Fund fee.

Congress, through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (PL 119-21), added the Treasury General Fund fee of no less than $13 and increased the operational fee portion of the ESTA application fee from $4 to no less than $10.

The $17 travel promotion fee portion of the ESTA application has not increased.

CBP systems updates required to collect the new fee amount are scheduled to be effective on September 30, 2025.

All unpaid ESTA applications in the system after the system update on September 30, 2025 will be subject to the new fee amount of $40.

If you already have a valid, approved ESTA you do not need to re-apply. When your ESTA validity period ends and you re-apply for an ESTA, you will be charged the new fee of $40 per application.

Remember that an ESTA is only valid for two years, so if you don’t have any firm travel plans to the United States but are considering it, you need to decide whether it’s worth jumping in now.

Starting 1st October 2025, the USA will introduce a new $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ for applicants from certain countries deemed to have high rates of visa overstays or violations. This surcharge comes on top of the standard $185 visa fee making the total cost a steep $435.

If you’re not from one of the affected countries, count yourself lucky.

If you’re eligible to travel under the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) instead, you can apply for an ESTA here.