U.S.: ESTA fee to rise slightly to $40.62 starting October 16, 2026

Effective October 16, 2026, the fee for the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will increase slightly. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the adjustment in a notice published in the Federal Register. This affects all travelers entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program who require an ESTA authorization instead of a traditional U.S. tourist visa.

Specifically, the fee for an approved ESTA authorization will increase from the current $40.27 to $40.62—an increase of 35 cents. The reason for this lies in an annual inflation adjustment mechanism introduced by U.S. legislation HR-1. Between July 2025 and July 2026, the underlying U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) rose by 3.36 percent, which serves as the basis for calculating the adjustment.

The ESTA fee consists of three components: $17, $10.27 for the operation and administration of the ESTA system, and $13. Only the middle component is affected by the inflation adjustment, rising from $10.27 to $10.62. The other two components remain unchanged. This results in a new total of 17 + 10.62 + 13 = $40.62 for an approved travel authorization.

Important for applicants whose ESTA application is denied: In this case, only the system operation fee will be charged—that is, $10.62 in the future instead of the previous $10.27. For a family of four submitting four new applications at the same time, the increase amounts to a total of just 1.40 U.S. dollars extra—a manageable amount compared to previous adjustments.

This increase is significantly more moderate than the change made a year ago: On September 30, 2025, the ESTA fee had already been raised noticeably. The current adjustment is thus part of a series of regular, inflation-driven fee changes that travelers should expect annually in the future when planning a trip to the U.S.

For travelers who wish to enter the United States without a visa, ESTA authorization remains the fastest and most straightforward option. If you’re unsure whether an ESTA authorization is sufficient or if a regular visa is required instead, you can find out about the various visa options for the U.S. in advance. We handle the application process correctly, including the current fees, and ensure that all required information is submitted completely and accurately to avoid delays or rejections.

Since fees and processing requirements for ESTA authorization can change regularly, it’s worth checking the current costs for entering the U.S. before booking a trip. This helps avoid unexpected additional costs and ensures the application can be submitted well in advance of your planned departure.