Planning a trip to the United States can involve several travel requirements, and understanding the USA ESTA application fee is an important part of preparing for your journey. Travelers from countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program may be able to travel to the United States for tourism or certain business purposes without obtaining a traditional visitor visa, but they generally need an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization, commonly known as ESTA, before traveling under the Visa Waiver Program.
The ESTA process is completed online, and an application fee is charged when an application is submitted. The fee is separate from the cost of flights, accommodation, travel insurance, and other expenses associated with visiting the United States.
As of the current fee structure, the statutory minimum ESTA fee is US$40 per travel authorization. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has explained that this amount consists of several components established under U.S. law.
This guide explains the USA ESTA application fee, what it covers, when it is paid, whether it is refundable, how the cost relates to an ESTA authorization, and what travelers should understand before completing an application.
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The USA ESTA application fee is the government charge associated with applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
ESTA is used by eligible travelers who intend to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. An ESTA authorization allows an eligible traveler to seek travel to the United States without first obtaining a conventional visitor visa, provided the traveler meets the applicable requirements.
The ESTA is not itself a U.S. visa. It is an electronic travel authorization connected to the traveler's passport and is used as part of the Visa Waiver Program travel process.
The application fee is paid electronically during the application process. The fee applies to the ESTA authorization rather than being a general tourist tax charged after arriving in the United States.
The current minimum ESTA fee is US$40.
This represents a significant increase from the older ESTA fee that many travelers may remember. For many years, the total ESTA charge was US$21. U.S. legislation subsequently increased the statutory ESTA fee, with CBP stating that the minimum fee became US$40.
Because ESTA fees can change as U.S. law and government regulations are updated, travelers should always check the current amount displayed during the official application process before making payment.
Item
Information
Travel authorization
ESTA
Program
Visa Waiver Program
Current minimum fee
US$40
Currency
U.S. dollars
Application method
Online
Payment
Electronic payment
Applies to
Eligible ESTA applicants
Traditional visa required?
Not normally for qualifying VWP travel
Refund if ESTA is refused
Generally, the applicable rules do not provide a refund of the application processing portion
The exact amount charged should always be confirmed at the time of application because government fees can be revised.
The ESTA fee exists because the U.S. government operates ESTA as an electronic travel authorization and screening system.
The fee structure has historically included amounts associated with operating the ESTA system and promoting travel to the United States. Under the newer statutory structure, CBP has described the US$40 minimum as consisting of multiple statutory components, including the existing US$17 travel authorization amount, an amount of at least US$10, and an additional US$13 amount established by subsequent legislation.
This means that the ESTA charge is not simply a private company's service fee. It is a government-established charge associated with the ESTA program.
No.
The USA ESTA application fee and a U.S. visa application fee are separate charges connected to different travel authorization processes.
ESTA is intended for eligible travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries who meet the requirements for visa-free travel under that program. A traditional U.S. visa is required in circumstances where ESTA cannot be used or where the traveler needs a type of authorization that falls outside the Visa Waiver Program.
For example, a traveler may need to consider a traditional visa rather than ESTA depending on factors such as nationality, intended purpose of travel, planned length of stay, previous immigration circumstances, or other eligibility issues.
Therefore, travelers should determine whether they are eligible for ESTA before assuming that paying the ESTA fee will provide permission to travel.
The ESTA fee applies to travelers who submit ESTA applications for travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
The Visa Waiver Program covers nationals of designated countries who meet the applicable requirements. Eligibility is not determined solely by the country where a traveler currently lives.
For example, living in a Visa Waiver Program country does not automatically mean that a person is eligible. Citizenship or nationality, passport type, travel history, purpose of travel, and other circumstances can affect eligibility.
Likewise, simply paying the ESTA fee does not guarantee that an ESTA authorization will be approved.
The fee is paid during the online ESTA application process.
A typical application involves entering personal and passport information, answering eligibility and security-related questions, providing travel information where required, reviewing the information supplied, and completing the payment process.
Applicants should carefully review their information before submitting the application.
This is particularly important because mistakes in passport details or personal information can create problems later. An ESTA is electronically associated with the traveler's passport, so the information used for the application should correspond accurately to the passport that will be used for travel.
Travelers should generally treat the ESTA fee as a non-refundable government application charge.
An important distinction is that paying the fee does not mean that an ESTA authorization is guaranteed. The government may determine that an applicant is not eligible for ESTA.
An applicant should therefore avoid thinking of the fee as a payment for guaranteed approval.
Before submitting an application, travelers should carefully check their eligibility and make sure that the information entered is accurate.
An ESTA application can be denied.
Payment of the application fee does not automatically produce an authorization. ESTA is part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program's screening process, and applicants must satisfy the applicable requirements.
If an ESTA application is denied, the traveler may need to consider applying for a U.S. visa if they still wish to travel to the United States. CBP explains that an ESTA authorization is not a determination that a traveler is admissible to the United States.
This distinction is important.
An approved ESTA permits an eligible traveler to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission under the Visa Waiver Program. It does not guarantee entry. The final decision concerning admission is made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry.
No.
There are several different stages involved in international travel authorization.
First, the traveler submits an ESTA application.
Second, the ESTA application is reviewed.
Third, if approved, the traveler receives an ESTA travel authorization.
Fourth, the traveler travels to the United States.
Finally, upon arrival, the traveler is inspected by U.S. border officials.
An ESTA is therefore not a guarantee of admission to the United States. It is an authorization to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, subject to the applicable rules.
Travelers should understand this distinction when planning their trip.
No.
One of the most common misunderstandings about ESTA is calling it an "ESTA visa."
Although people frequently use phrases such as "USA ESTA visa" or "ESTA visa application," ESTA is technically an Electronic System for Travel Authorization rather than a visa.
The Visa Waiver Program allows qualifying travelers to seek admission to the United States for permitted purposes without first obtaining a traditional visa.
This is why the ESTA fee should not be confused with the fee for a U.S. visitor visa.
No.
ESTA is associated specifically with travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
U.S. citizens do not need ESTA to enter the United States as U.S. citizens. Travelers who already hold an appropriate U.S. visa generally do not use ESTA for that visa-based travel.
Travelers from countries outside the Visa Waiver Program may need to obtain a U.S. visa instead.
There can also be special circumstances in which an otherwise eligible traveler cannot use ESTA and must follow another immigration procedure.
Consequently, travelers should determine which U.S. travel authorization applies to their individual circumstances before paying an application fee.
Yes, when they are traveling under the Visa Waiver Program and meet the relevant requirements, children can require their own ESTA authorization.
An ESTA is associated with an individual traveler and passport rather than being a single authorization for an entire family.
Families traveling to the United States should therefore check the requirements for every member of the traveling group.
Parents or guardians completing applications for children should take particular care when entering passport information and other personal details.
There is no concept of one single ESTA authorization replacing the individual travel authorization requirements for every member of a family.
Families can submit applications for multiple travelers, but each traveler requiring ESTA must have the appropriate authorization.
The total amount a family pays therefore depends on how many travelers require ESTA and the fee applicable at the time of application.
For example, if four eligible travelers each require an ESTA and the applicable fee is US$40 per authorization, the government application charges would total US$160.
The actual amount should always be confirmed when submitting the applications.
The government fee is generally expressed in U.S. dollars, meaning travelers whose home currency is British pounds, euros, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Mauritian rupees, or another currency may see a different amount on their card statement because of currency conversion.
Your bank or card provider may apply its own exchange rate or foreign transaction charge.
These additional charges are separate from the ESTA government fee.
For this reason, the amount appearing on a traveler's bank statement may not exactly match the converted value they expected.
Yes.
Government immigration and travel authorization fees can change when legislation, regulations, or government fee schedules are updated.
This is particularly relevant for ESTA because the fee structure has changed substantially over time.
Travelers who have previously paid US$14 or US$21 for ESTA should not assume that the same amount applies to a new application.
CBP's published material confirms that legislation enacted in 2025 increased the minimum ESTA fee from the previous US$21 level to US$40.
Therefore, older travel websites, blogs, social media posts, or previously saved travel information may contain outdated prices.
Travelers may encounter websites that display prices higher than the government ESTA fee.
This can happen when a third-party company offers additional services such as application assistance, document checking, customer support, or form review.
A third-party service may therefore charge its own service fee in addition to the government ESTA charge.
This is an important distinction:
Government ESTA fee ≠third-party service fee.
A website charging more than the government fee is not necessarily charging an additional government tax. It may be charging a private service fee.
Travelers should carefully review the price breakdown before paying.
The simplest way to understand the cost is to distinguish between the official government charge and optional third-party services.
Before submitting payment, travelers should:
Confirm that they are eligible for ESTA.
Check the current government fee.
Review the total amount displayed before payment.
Check whether any additional service fee has been added.
Make sure the traveler's passport information is correct.
Keep the payment confirmation.
Keep the ESTA application number or other confirmation information available.
Taking these steps can help avoid misunderstandings about the amount being charged.
Although the ESTA application is completed online, it is useful to have important travel and passport information available before beginning.
Travelers may need information such as:
A valid passport
Passport number
Passport issuing country
Passport issue and expiration information
Personal identification details
Contact information
Employment information where applicable
U.S. contact or accommodation information where applicable
Emergency contact information
Information needed to answer ESTA eligibility questions
The exact questions and requirements may change, so applicants should follow the instructions displayed during the current application.
Travelers should not leave ESTA until the last moment.
An ESTA application may be processed quickly, but travelers should allow sufficient time in case additional review or an unexpected issue occurs.
Ideally, ESTA should be arranged before final travel preparations and well before departure.
This is particularly important for travelers with complex travel histories or circumstances that could affect eligibility.
Airlines and other carriers may require the appropriate travel authorization before allowing a passenger to board a flight to the United States.
Yes.
You do not generally need to wait until after booking a flight to apply for ESTA. In fact, travelers should consider obtaining the required authorization early enough to identify potential problems before departure.
The best timing depends on the traveler's circumstances.
A traveler should avoid purchasing non-refundable travel arrangements while assuming that an ESTA approval is guaranteed.
Not necessarily.
An approved ESTA can generally be used for multiple trips while it remains valid, provided the traveler continues to meet the relevant requirements and the authorization remains associated with a valid passport.
However, obtaining a new passport normally means that the traveler needs a new ESTA because the authorization is connected to the passport.
Other circumstances can also require a new application.
This is why travelers should check their ESTA status before each U.S. trip rather than assuming that an old authorization is automatically valid.
Certain information may be updated without submitting an entirely new ESTA application, depending on the type of information and the current ESTA system rules.
However, replacing a passport is different because the new passport has different identifying information.
Travelers should always check the current instructions before making changes or submitting a new application.
The ESTA fee relates to the electronic travel authorization application and the government processes associated with the ESTA program.
It does not cover:
Flights to the United States
Hotels
Travel insurance
Airport transportation
Food
Tourist attractions
Car rental
U.S. visa applications
Immigration attorney fees
Private travel agency services
Other personal travel expenses
The ESTA fee should therefore be considered one small component of an overall U.S. travel budget.
Although the ESTA fee is an important administrative expense, it is usually only a small part of the total cost of an international vacation.
A traveler may need to budget for:
International airfare can be one of the largest expenses associated with visiting the United States.
Hotel prices vary considerably between destinations. New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Orlando, Las Vegas, and other major destinations can have very different accommodation costs.
Travelers may need to budget for airport transfers, public transportation, taxis, rideshare services, or rental vehicles.
Restaurant meals, groceries, snacks, and drinks can significantly affect a travel budget.
Theme parks, museums, national parks, observation decks, tours, sporting events, and other attractions can add to the overall cost.
Travel insurance can provide protection against certain unexpected travel problems, depending on the policy.
The ESTA application fee is an additional government travel authorization cost for eligible Visa Waiver Program travelers.
Planning the ESTA fee alongside these other expenses makes it easier to create a realistic travel budget.
ESTA is not generally free. An application fee applies.
The ESTA fee has changed. The current minimum fee is US$40 under the fee structure described by CBP.
Payment does not guarantee authorization.
ESTA is an electronic travel authorization used under the Visa Waiver Program, not a traditional U.S. visa.
The ESTA fee only relates to the ESTA application. It does not pay for flights, hotels, insurance, or other travel expenses.
Private companies may charge additional service fees. Travelers should check the payment summary carefully.
An incorrect passport number or other important information can cause complications. Applicants should carefully review the information before submitting.
British citizens who meet the requirements for Visa Waiver Program travel may use ESTA when traveling to the United States for qualifying tourism or business purposes.
The ESTA fee is charged in U.S. dollars, so UK travelers may see the equivalent amount converted into pounds by their card provider.
A British traveler should not confuse the ESTA application fee with the cost of a U.S. visitor visa.
The appropriate travel authorization depends on the individual's circumstances, nationality, travel purpose, and eligibility.
Australian citizens who qualify for Visa Waiver Program travel may need ESTA before traveling to the United States under the program.
The government fee is expressed in U.S. dollars. Australian travelers should therefore consider the exchange rate applied by their bank or card provider.
Any separate banking or foreign exchange charge is not part of the ESTA government fee.
Many European countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, meaning eligible citizens may use ESTA rather than applying for a traditional U.S. visitor visa for qualifying short-term travel.
However, eligibility should be confirmed individually.
European travelers should also remember that the ESTA fee is denominated in U.S. dollars, so the final amount appearing in euros or another local currency can vary according to exchange rates.
The same general principle applies to eligible travelers from other Visa Waiver Program countries.
A traveler's nationality, passport, purpose of travel, and individual circumstances determine whether ESTA can be used.
The application fee is separate from the traveler's local currency and from any private service charges that may be offered by third-party companies.
Travelers should check their passport validity before submitting an ESTA application.
An ESTA is linked to a specific passport. If the passport expires and a new passport is issued, the traveler may need to obtain a new ESTA authorization.
This can result in another application fee.
For this reason, checking passport validity before applying can help travelers avoid unnecessary complications.
Travelers should not assume that canceling a U.S. vacation will result in an ESTA fee refund.
The ESTA charge is associated with the application process rather than with the purchase of a flight or hotel.
If you decide not to travel after receiving ESTA authorization, the fact that you did not use the authorization does not automatically mean that the government application fee will be returned.
For travelers who qualify for the Visa Waiver Program and want to visit the United States for an eligible short-term trip, ESTA can provide a convenient alternative to applying for a traditional visa.
The application is completed electronically, and travelers can receive an electronic travel authorization without attending a routine visa interview.
The fee should therefore be considered part of the administrative cost of traveling under the Visa Waiver Program.
However, travelers should always confirm that ESTA is appropriate for their specific circumstances.
Before completing an ESTA application, travelers should make sure they:
Have the passport they intend to use for their U.S. trip.
Have checked whether their nationality is covered by the Visa Waiver Program.
Have reviewed the ESTA eligibility requirements.
Understand the purpose and limitations of ESTA.
Have entered their personal information carefully.
Have checked their passport number.
Have reviewed the application before payment.
Have checked the total amount being charged.
Understand whether any third-party service fee has been added.
Keep their payment confirmation.
Check their ESTA status before traveling.
Remember that ESTA authorization does not guarantee admission to the United States.
The current minimum ESTA fee is US$40 per travel authorization under the fee structure described by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Yes. ESTA applications are submitted electronically, and payment is made during the application process.
No. ESTA is an electronic travel authorization used by eligible travelers under the Visa Waiver Program.
No. ESTA applies to travelers who qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver Program and need an electronic travel authorization.
No. Payment does not guarantee that an ESTA will be approved.
No. An approved ESTA permits eligible travelers to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, but admission is ultimately determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry.
An ESTA can generally support multiple qualifying trips during its validity period, provided the traveler remains eligible and the authorization remains valid.
In general, a new passport means a new ESTA application is required because the authorization is associated with the passport.
Yes. Eligible children traveling under the Visa Waiver Program may require their own ESTA authorization.
If you used a third-party service, the company may have added a separate service charge. Always distinguish the government ESTA fee from private service fees.
Understanding the USA ESTA application fee is an important part of preparing for a trip to the United States. The current minimum ESTA fee is US$40, following a statutory increase described by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Travelers should remember that ESTA is not a traditional visa and that paying the fee does not guarantee approval or admission to the United States. The authorization is designed for eligible travelers using the Visa Waiver Program for permitted travel.
Before applying, check your eligibility, use accurate passport information, review the total payment amount, and understand whether you are using a government application process or a private service that may add its own charges.
Because U.S. immigration and travel authorization requirements can change, travelers should verify the current ESTA fee and eligibility requirements before submitting an application or making final travel arrangements.
With the ESTA requirement, passport details, application fee, and other travel preparations handled in advance, eligible visitors can approach their United States trip with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of the costs involved.