Flying to the United States is about to get more expensive, as US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to increase the application fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), according to the official CBP website.
Starting September 30, 2025, the ESTA fee will rise to $40 per person, a notable increase from the previous rate of $21. To avoid the new fee, the application must be fully completed and submitted by September 30. The fee increase could further contribute to the decline in tourism, as annual visitor numbers to the United States have already been falling due to shifts in the political and economic environment.
Rising Costs Under The “One Big Beautiful Bill”
The cost of an ESTA application is increasing due to the Trump administration’s recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (PL 119-21). This new fee consists of a $17 travel promotion fee (unchanged), a $10 operational fee (increased from $4), and a new $13 Treasury General Fund fee. Travelers with a valid, approved ESTA do not need to reapply.
It is worth noting that ESTA is valid for only two years. If you don’t yet have definite travel plans to the United States but are considering a trip, you will need to decide whether applying now is worthwhile. According to CBP’s official website:
“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.”
Why You Need ESTA To Travel
ESTA is an automated system managed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that determines whether visitors can travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for tourism or business. It is not a visa but an authorization that must be obtained online before travel. Only travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program are eligible for ESTA.
According to the official website, 42 countries are currently part of the VWP, and their citizens can apply. ESTA permits stays of up to 90 days. The application requires personal information such as a valid email address, home address, emergency contact details, and phone number, along with payment information. Accepted payment methods include MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover (JCB or Diners Club only), and PayPal.
Other required information may include the traveler’s selfie photo, US point of contact details (name, address, and phone number), or the traveler’s employer’s address and phone number.
Visa Integrity Fee
Additionally, under a provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, visitors to the United States will be required to pay a new “visa integrity fee.” This fee will not apply to passengers under the Visa Waiver Program, but rather applies to all travelers who require non-immigrant visas for entry and cannot be waived. These travelers will also include tourists, business travelers, and international students.
According to the provision, the fee is charged only when a visa is issued, meaning applicants whose requests are denied will not be required to pay. Starting October 1, 2025, travelers from countries that require non-immigrant visas will face a $250 surcharge in addition to the standard $185 visa fee.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the purpose of this fee is to “restore the integrity of the immigration system.” A DHS spokesperson told CNBC that “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill provides the policies and resources needed to achieve this goal.” Commenting on this provision, Steven A. Brown, a partner at the Houston-based immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, said that the visa integrity fee will primarily impact Visa B holders or leisure and business travelers.
