U.S. ESTA Fee to Rise in 2025: What Travelers Should Know

Starting September 30, 2025, travelers visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will see a major change. The cost of applying for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) will increase from $21 to $40. This new price hike could impact millions of travelers planning trips to the U.S.

ESTA is an online system used by citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States without a visa. It is part of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows visitors from approved countries to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit.

Instead of applying for a full U.S. visa, travelers simply fill out a form online and pay a small fee, at least, that was the case until now.

The U.S. government recently passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, which includes a significant increase in ESTA fees.

Current Cost: $21

New Cost (Starting September 30, 2025): $40

Here’s a breakdown of how the $40 fee will be used:

• $17 – To promote tourism to the U.S.
• $10 – To fund ESTA operations (previously $4)
• $13 – A new fee going directly to the U.S. Treasury

This means travelers will now pay almost double the current cost just to receive authorization to visit the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.

• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Australia
• Japan
• South Korea

Travelers from most African countries are not part of this program, so they still require a visa for U.S. travel. However, the ESTA increase is a signal of a larger trend: rising travel costs and growing inequality in global mobility.

If you’re someone who travels often or plans to expand your global mobility, these rising costs and changing rules should be on your radar.

Here’s why:

1. Global Travel Is Becoming More Expensive
   Even small changes like a $19 increase in travel authorization can add up, especially for families or frequent travelers.
2. Passports Are Not Equal
   The power of your passport matters more than ever. Some nationalities can travel freely to over 180 countries, while others face complex and costly visa processes. ESTA is a privilege for those with “strong” passports, but even that comes at a cost now.
3. Investment Migration Offers an Advantage
   Citizenship or residency by investment can give you access to better visa-free travel options. For example:
   • Caribbean passports (like St. Kitts & Nevis or Antigua & Barbuda) allow visa-free access to over 140 countries.
   • European residency (like Portugal or Greece) gives you easier access to the U.S. through more stable and respected channels.