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New $40 US Esta fee to be charged from the end of September

United States
James Chapple
4 September 2025

The fee for a US Esta visa waiver will nearly double later this month to $40 (£30).

A US flag hanging in the terminal building of Washington National Airport
(Credit: iStock / Zhao Liu)

A US flag hanging in the terminal building of Washington National Airport (Credit: iStock / Zhao Liu)

Congress approved the hike in July, which will see the fee go up from $21 (£16). The new charge, written into a reconciliation bill, will take effect from 30 September.

It drew criticism earlier this year from the US Travel Association, which described it as a "self-imposed tariff".

"These fees are not reinvested in improving the travel experience and do nothing but discourage visitation at a time when foreign travellers are already concerned about the welcome experience and high prices," said president and chief executive Geoff Freeman.