NewImportant
United StatesVisas and rules
US ESTA fee rises to USD 40.62 from 16 October 2026
- Officially announced
- Oct 1, 2026
- Effective from
- Oct 16, 2026
- Last checked
- Oct 22, 2026
Checked against official sources
Key points
- Country
- United States
- Topic
- Visas and rules
- Who
- Japanese citizens and others who travel to the US for short stays with ESTA (tourism, short business trips, etc.). People travelling with a visa, such as F-1 students or J-1 exchange visitors, apply for a visa rather than ESTA, so this fee does not directly apply to them.
- Effective date
- Oct 16, 2026
In the Federal Register of 1 October 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) gave notice that the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) fee will be adjusted for inflation. The fee for an approved ESTA rises from USD 40.27 to USD 40.62, and the new fee applies from 16 October 2026, 15 days after publication.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov (external site)
What changed
The notice sets the fiscal year 2027 ESTA fee at "$40.62 ($17 + $10.62 + $13) per travel authorization". The fiscal year 2026 fee was USD 40.27 (an increase of USD 0.35).
The fee when an ESTA application is not approved is USD 10.62. The same notice raises the EVUS (for holders of Chinese passports) enrollment fee from USD 30.75 to USD 31.75.
Who it applies to
- Japanese citizens and others who travel to the US for short stays with ESTA (tourism, short business trips, etc.).
- People travelling with a visa, such as F-1 students or J-1 exchange visitors, apply for a visa rather than ESTA, so this fee does not directly apply to them.
When it applies
- Oct 1, 2026Officially announced
- Oct 16, 2026Effective from
Published in the Federal Register on 1 October 2026. The new fee applies from 16 October 2026 (15 days after publication, according to the notice).
Exceptions
According to the notice, the law (H.R. 1) requires the fee to be adjusted for inflation every year. The notice does not say whether people with a valid ESTA need to apply again.
Show details
Always apply for ESTA through the official US government website.
What to check or do
- Always check the official page for the latest information and your individual situation.
- 1.
- Check the current fee on CBP's official ESTA website before applying.
- 2.
- Check when your ESTA expires.
- 3.
- Study or work travel requires the appropriate visa, not ESTA; check the official pages for the right procedure.
Official sources
Related countries, cities, schools and guides
public-inspection.federalregister.gov (external site)
