Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEn ESTA remains valid for two years (Getty/iStock)The cost of an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) for travel to the US will almost double from $21 (£16) to $40 (£30), effective from 30 September 2025. Travellers can save $19 (£14) by applying for an ESTA before 12.01am eastern daylight time (5.01am BST) on Tuesday, 30 September 2025. The price increase includes a $6 (£4.50) “operational fee”, an unchanged $17 (£12.50) “travel promotion fee” and a new $13 (£9.70) Treasury General Fund fee mandated by Congress. President Trump’s act stipulates that the fee will subsequently rise in line with US inflation, with an ESTA remaining valid for two years. Travellers are warned against unofficial third-party websites that charge significantly higher fees for ESTA applications and have no connection to the US government. In fullDeadline imminent to avoid US Esta fee rise for touristsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Cost of US Esta for travellers to almost double
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEn ESTA remains valid for two years (Getty/iStock)The cost of an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) for travel to the US will almost double from $21 (£16) to $40 (£30), effective from 30 September 2025. Travellers can save $19 (£14) by applying for an ESTA before 12.01am eastern daylight time (5.01am BST) on Tuesday, 30 September 2025. The price increase includes a $6 (£4.50) “operational fee”, an unchanged $17 (£12.50) “travel promotion fee” and a new $13 (£9.70) Treasury General Fund fee mandated by Congress. President Trump’s act stipulates that the fee will subsequently rise in line with US inflation, with an ESTA remaining valid for two years. Travellers are warned against unofficial third-party websites that charge significantly higher fees for ESTA applications and have no connection to the US government. In fullDeadline imminent to avoid US Esta fee rise for touristsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
