Your trip will immediately become more expensive if you do not act
Howard Lloyd Regional content editor
04:23, 19 Sep 2025
People are being urged to have their documents in order before heading to the US
People heading from the UK to America are being urged to take action in the coming days or risk having to pay more for their trip. People from the UK on a British passport going to US must acquire either a visa or an electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA).
The ESTA uses an automated system to decide if you can go to the US under the Visa Waiver Program. According to the Gov.co.uk website, you may not be able to apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you have:
- been arrested (even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction)
- a criminal record
- been refused admission into, or have been deported from, the US
- previously overstayed under an ESTA visa waiver
If you are refused an ESTA, you may be able to apply for a visa. Currently, an ESTA – which can only be used if you are travelling for a holiday or a business trip – costs $21 (£15). The fee is currently broken down into two segments – the travel promotion fee, costing $17 (£12.54), and the operational fee of $4 (£3).
However, on September 30, the cost of an ESTA will surge to $40 (£29). That is because US Congress has added a ‘Treasury General Fund fee of no less than $13 (£9.59p)’ and increased the operational fee portion of the ESTA application fee to no less than $10 (£7.38).
All unpaid ESTA applications in the system after 30 September will be subject to the new fee amount. To apply, you need a valid passport, your home address, email and phone number, plus phone and email details for an emergency point of contact.
Even with a valid ESTA, you can still be denied entry to the US by border guards. Immigration enforcement has been tightened since Donald Trump took power, so visitors are advised to follow the rules to ensure a smooth trip.