Published on
September 7, 2025
By: Rana Pratap
Starting September last, the UK joins Iceland, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Australia, France, under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in facing a doubling of the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) fee, from USD Twenty One to USD Forty. This increase, driven by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduces new fees to help fund the operational costs of the ESTA system and support general government expenditures. The new structure includes a USD Thirteen Treasury General Fund fee and a USD Ten operational fee, aimed at maintaining the ESTA system’s security and efficiency. Travelers are advised that applications submitted after September Last will incur the new fee, but those with existing ESTAs will not need to reapply until their current authorization expires.
Let’s break down what this fee increase means, who it affects, and why the U.S. government has made this change. We’ll also take a closer look at the countries involved and what this means for future travel plans.
What is ESTA and the U.S. Visa Waiver Program?
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an online system that allows travelers from certain countries to enter the United States for short stays (up to 90 days) without needing a visa. This system is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes countries that meet specific security and economic standards set by the U.S. government.
To apply for ESTA, travelers must provide some basic personal information and answer a few questions related to their travel. If approved, the ESTA allows the traveler to board a flight to the U.S. and gain entry under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program.
ESTA is available to citizens of 42 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, to name a few.
Why is the ESTA Fee Increasing?
The change in the ESTA fee is tied to a law called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July 2025. This law outlines changes to the fee structure for the ESTA application, increasing the overall cost.
Here’s a breakdown of the new fee structure:
USD Ten has been added for the operational cost of the ESTA system, up from the previous $4.USD Seventeen remains for travel promotion (no change).A new USD Thirteen charge for the Treasury General Fund fee has been introduced.
This increase was necessary to help fund the growing costs of running the ESTA system and meet new security and operational requirements. The new fee will apply to all ESTA applications submitted after September 30, 2025. If you apply before this date, you will still pay the current fee of $21.
Who Will be Affected by This Change?
The fee increase will affect all travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, and many other nations.
These travelers typically visit the U.S. for tourism, business, or transit purposes. The increased fee will apply only to new ESTA applications made after September 30, 2025. If you already have an approved ESTA, you won’t need to reapply or pay the new fee until your ESTA expires.
A Breakdown of the New ESTA Fee
The new fee structure is broken down as follows:
USD Ten for operational costs: The operational fee has increased from $4 to $10. This fee covers the costs associated with processing ESTA applications and maintaining the system that approves or denies applications.USD Seventeen for travel promotion: This portion of the fee will remain unchanged. It helps fund efforts that encourage travel to the United States, promoting tourism and boosting the economy.USD Thirteen for the Treasury General Fund: The introduction of this new fee will help fund general governmental operations, such as infrastructure projects and public services.
So, starting September 30, 2025, the total ESTA fee will be $40, double the current $21.
Which Countries are Affected?
The countries that will be impacted by the ESTA fee increase include those that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. These countries have agreements with the U.S. that allow their citizens to travel to the U.S. for tourism, business, or transit purposes without needing a visa.
Here’s the full list of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program:
AndorraAustraliaAustriaBelgiumBruneiChileCroatiaCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandIsraelItalyJapanLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaMonacoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPolandPortugalQatarSan MarinoSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSouth KoreaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanUnited Kingdom
These countries’ citizens are eligible to apply for ESTA and enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. The fee increase will impact citizens from all of these nations when they apply for future travel authorizations.
When Will the New Fee Apply?
The new ESTA fee will be in effect from September 30, 2025. If you apply for an ESTA before this date, you will still pay the current fee of USD Twenty One. However, if you apply after this date, the fee will be USD Forty.
It’s important to note that any ESTA application that has been paid for before September 30 will remain at the current rate. However, if an application is started before the deadline but not paid for, the new fee will apply.
No Need to Reapply if Your ESTA is Still Valid
If you already have an approved ESTA, there is no need to reapply or pay the new fee. Your ESTA will remain valid until its expiration date, which is typically two years from the approval date, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
This means that, for many travelers, the new fee will not impact them unless they need to apply for a new ESTA in the future.
How Can You Apply for ESTA?
To apply for ESTA, you’ll need the following:
A valid biometric or electronic passport from one of the VWP countries.A recent passport photo or a selfie that meets U.S. passport standards.A credit card or PayPal account to pay the application fee.
The process is quick and easy. After filling out the application, you can expect a response within minutes, though it can take up to 72 hours. If approved, your ESTA will be valid for two years or until your passport expires.
What Does This Fee Increase Mean for Travelers?
For many, the increase in the ESTA fee may feel like an inconvenience, but it is important to keep in mind that the Visa Waiver Program still offers a significant benefit. For a one-time fee of $40, travelers can visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without having to go through the lengthy and expensive visa application process.
The fee increase will help maintain and improve the ESTA system, ensuring that it remains secure, efficient, and user-friendly for future applicants. In addition, the introduction of the Treasury General Fund fee will help fund various U.S. government services, contributing to broader public interests.
Surge in U.S. Tourism in 2024 Ahead of ESTA Fee Increase Under New Visa Waiver Program
As the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prepares to double the ESTA fee from $21 to $40 starting September 30, 2025, countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) continue to see significant growth in tourism to the United States. Notably, travelers from the UK, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Australia, and France have shown strong interest in visiting the U.S. in 2024. Here’s how these countries are contributing to the growth in U.S. tourism:
United Kingdom: In 2024, around 4.037 million tourists from the UK visited the U.S., reflecting a 3.6% growth from the previous year. The UK continues to be one of the top contributors to U.S. tourism, and with the upcoming fee increase, these numbers are expected to keep rising as UK travelers continue to take advantage of the Visa Waiver Program.Belgium: With 284,000 tourists visiting the U.S. in 2024, Belgium saw an impressive 23.2% growth compared to last year. This rapid growth indicates that Belgian travelers are increasingly seeking experiences in the U.S., making it a key player in the U.S. tourism market.Poland: Approximately 366,000 tourists from Poland visited the U.S. in 2024, marking a 19.7% increase from 2023. The steady growth from Poland underscores the expanding travel ties between the two countries.Ireland: 494,000 Irish tourists visited the U.S. in 2024, reflecting an 8.6% growth from the previous year. The long-standing cultural connection between the U.S. and Ireland continues to drive tourism, despite the upcoming ESTA fee change.Australia: 1.025 million Australian tourists traveled to the U.S. in 2024, marking a 7.4% increase from 2023. Australians remain eager to explore the U.S., and this growth demonstrates the strength of U.S.-Australia tourism relations.France: In 2024, 1.706 million French tourists visited the U.S., showing a 7.1% growth from last year. France continues to be one of the top European markets for U.S. tourism, and the fee increase will likely have a minimal impact on French visitors.
These impressive figures from the UK, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Australia, and France highlight the ongoing demand for travel to the U.S. from these countries. As the ESTA fee increase looms, travelers from these nations are expected to continue to make the most of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows them to enter the U.S. without a visa for short stays. With the Visa Waiver Program set to remain in place, these countries will likely see continued growth in tourism to the U.S., even with the fee hike on the horizon.
Starting September 30, 2025, the United Kingdom joins Iceland, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Australia, France, and other countries as the U.S. doubles the ESTA fee from $21 to $40. This increase comes as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which introduces a $13 Treasury General Fund fee and raises the operational fee to help cover the growing costs of the ESTA system and ensure its continued security and efficiency.
Final Thoughts
The U.S. ESTA fee increase is a noteworthy change for international travelers, especially those from countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Germany. The new fee structure, which doubles the current fee to $40, reflects the need to fund operational costs and new security measures, as well as contribute to government services through the Treasury Fund.
While the fee increase might be frustrating for some, it’s important to remember that ESTA remains a cost-effective and convenient option for travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. For those who already have an ESTA, there is no need to reapply, and future travelers can prepare for the new fee after September 30, 2025.
With this change in place, travelers will continue to enjoy the benefits of the Visa Waiver Program and the opportunity to visit the U.S. for short stays without the hassle of applying for a traditional visa.
