Published on
November 22, 2025
UK joins Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, and other Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, will face a new challenge starting January 1, 2026, as the U.S. increases the ESTA fee by twenty-seven percent, from $40 to $40.27, due to inflation adjustments. This fee hike, following last year’s sharp rise, reflects the U.S. government’s response to ongoing inflationary pressures, impacting travel costs for millions of travelers heading to the U.S. under the VWP.
Starting January 1, 2026, travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including the UK, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, and more, will face a new challenge: a rise in the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee. The fee, which serves as a prerequisite for travelers entering the U.S. without a visa, will see a twenty-seven percent increase, jumping from $40 to $40.27. This modest yet noticeable change comes as part of the U.S. government’s annual inflation adjustment, marking the first increase in the ESTA fee since it more than doubled from $21 to $40 in 2025.
As travelers from over 40 countries who are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program prepare for this fee change, the increase has sparked a wider conversation about the rising costs of international travel. This article dives into the details of the ESTA fee change, its impact on travelers, and how countries like the UK, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, and Sweden are affected by the adjustment.
What is ESTA and Who Does It Affect?
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an online travel permit that allows citizens from 42 countries to enter the United States without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. ESTA applications are processed electronically and must be approved before travelers board a U.S.-bound flight. Once approved, an ESTA remains valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The fee paid for an ESTA application covers several aspects of the program, including the management of the system and the promotion of tourism to the U.S. The fee breakdown includes:ComponentPrevious Fee (USD)New Fee (2026)ChangeTourism Promotion Fund$17$17No changeProgram Component$13$13No changeSystem Management$10$10.27+$0.27Total$40$40.27+$0.27
For those whose ESTA applications are denied, only the management fee of $10.27 is charged, marking the only part of the fee that has increased.
Why the Fee Increase?
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the change following an inflation adjustment, which saw the Consumer Price Index rise by 2.7% in the past year. While the fee increase may seem minor, it’s significant in the context of rising travel costs and the previous sharp hike in 2025, which saw the ESTA fee jump from $21 to $40. The 2026 adjustment, however, is more modest and follows the typical inflationary adjustments that the U.S. government applies to several fees across various federal programs.
A Look at the Bigger Picture: Other Immigration Fees Hike
This increase in the ESTA fee is not the only adjustment travelers should be aware of. Alongside the ESTA fee hike, several U.S. immigration-related fees are also increasing due to inflation. Some of the most notable fee increases for immigration forms, effective January 2026, are as follows:Form TypeOld Fee (USD)New Fee (USD)Annual Asylum Application Fee$100$102Form I-765 (Initial Asylum Applicant EAD)$550$560Form I-765 (Initial Parole EAD)$550$560Form I-765 (Renewal/Extension of Parole EAD)$275$280Form I-765 (Initial TPS EAD)$550$560Form I-765 (Renewal/Extension of TPS EAD)$275$280Form I-131 (Part 9 – EAD for Re-Parole)$275$280Form I-821 (Application for TPS)$500$510
These increases reflect the same inflation adjustment, marking a broader trend of rising immigration-related fees in 2026.
How ESTA Works for Eligible Countries
The ESTA system is specifically for travelers from countries that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. These countries, which currently include 42 nations, allow their citizens to visit the U.S. for tourism or business without requiring a traditional visa. Instead, these travelers can apply for ESTA, which streamlines the process and provides a faster route to enter the U.S. without the need for a visa interview.
The countries eligible for ESTA are as follows:CountryAndorraAustraliaAustriaBelgiumBruneiChileCroatiaCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandIsraelItalyJapanLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaMonacoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPolandPortugalQatarSan MarinoSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSouth KoreaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanUnited Kingdom
These countries represent the global mix of eligible ESTA participants, which range from major economies like Germany, France, and Japan, to smaller, economically stable nations like Liechtenstein and Andorra.
Impact on Travelers from Affected Countries
For travelers from the UK, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, and other countries listed above, the rise in ESTA fees will add an extra cost to their travel plans. While the 27-cent increase is minor on an individual level, it’s a reminder that inflation is impacting every aspect of global travel, including the fees associated with accessing the U.S.
Travelers from these countries will need to ensure that their ESTA applications are updated, particularly if they are planning trips to the U.S. in 2026. The new fees will apply to all new ESTA applications, so anyone planning to travel after January 1, 2026, will need to account for this small but significant adjustment.
For frequent travelers, such as businesspeople and tourists from the VWP countries, this increase might not be significant, but it still reflects the broader trend of rising costs in international travel, especially as governments and agencies adjust their fees annually.
What This Means for International Travel
While the ESTA fee increase may seem like a small shift in the grand scheme of travel expenses, it’s a part of a much larger trend. Travel fees, including visa application fees, baggage charges, and other related costs, have been rising steadily in recent years. The 27-cent increase may be manageable for most travelers, but it serves as a stark reminder of how the cost of travel is being affected by inflationary pressures.
A Step Towards Securing the U.S. Border
The U.S. has long been focused on enhancing security while making travel easier for foreign nationals. The ESTA system is a vital part of this initiative, screening travelers before they board U.S.-bound flights. By collecting travel information before arrival, the U.S. can better predict and manage security risks, making the travel experience smoother and safer for everyone involved.
The small fee increase, though seemingly minor, will contribute to maintaining and improving the ESTA system, ensuring it can continue to provide vital security services while allowing travelers to enter the U.S. more efficiently.
The new fee adjustment is just one small piece of the ongoing changes in global travel. As inflation continues to rise and governments adjust to economic realities, it’s likely that other countries will follow the U.S.’s example, introducing similar fee increases for visa waivers, travel authorizations, and other travel-related services. While these changes might seem like minor inconveniences, they serve as a reminder that the global travel ecosystem is shifting, and costs will continue to rise.
UK joins Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, and other Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, will face a new challenge starting January 1, 2026, as the U.S. raises the ESTA fee by twenty-seven percent due to inflation adjustments. This modest increase, from $40 to $40.27, follows last year’s sharp hike and highlights the growing impact of inflation on international travel costs.
For travelers planning a trip to the U.S., now is the time to stay informed and make sure all necessary travel authorizations are updated before the January 2026 deadline. The new fee will be a small price to pay for the convenience and safety that the ESTA system offers, but it’s also a wake-up call that travelers need to plan ahead for a more expensive future in travel.
