(UNITED STATES) The U.S. government will nearly double the ESTA fee for visa‑free visitors next year, raising it from $21 to $40 effective September 30, 2025, under a new law, H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The Department of Homeland Security says the change, formalized through a Customs and Border Protection notice in the Federal Register, is part of a broader budget plan to fund electronic border systems and tourism promotion. The decision affects citizens of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries who rely on ESTA to enter the United States ?? for short stays without a visa.

The new $40 charge is built from three parts:
– $17 Travel Promotion Fee (existing)
– $10 Operational Fee (new)
– $13 Treasury General Fund Fee (new)

This replaces the old $21 split, which included a $4 processing fee and the same $17 promotion fee. DHS and CBP officials describe the switch as a way to stabilize funding for border operations while keeping support for Brand USA, the national tourism marketing effort.

Deadline and short‑term savings

Travelers have a short‑term option to save money: anyone who submits an ESTA application before September 30, 2025 can pay the current $21 and keep the authorization for up to two years or until the passport expires. That means a traveler approved on September 29, 2025 could use the same ESTA for trips well into 2027 at the lower cost.

After the deadline, the higher $40 fee will apply to every new application.

What is ESTA and who needs it

• ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is required for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers visiting for tourism or business for up to 90 days.
• An approval is valid for two years and allows multiple entries while the passport remains valid.
• Each traveler must hold a separate authorization—this includes infants and toddlers—because ESTA is tied to the individual passport.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the timeline gives families and tour operators a window to file early and lock in the lower price for trips planned next year.

Policy changes under H.R. 1

Under H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress approved the hike as part of a larger shift in how the government pays for immigration and border technology. Key points:
– The new Operational Fee helps cover system maintenance and future upgrades.
– The Treasury General Fund Fee supports general federal spending.
– CBP confirmed the effective date in its public notice and will adjust online payment processing to accept the new amount on schedule.

Stakeholder reactions are mixed:
– The U.S. Travel Association says the increase makes ESTA one of the most expensive short‑stay travel authorizations worldwide.
– Industry groups warn the timing could slow the recovery in inbound travel.
– Budget planners argue steady demand for U.S. travel will make the added revenue useful to keep border systems reliable.

Other traveler fee changes

H.R. 1 also raises other fees effective September 30, 2025:
– EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System) for Chinese nationals holding a 10‑year B1/B2 visa: $30
– Form I‑94 (land‑border arrival/departure record): $6 → $30

Travelers who must obtain an I‑94 at a land port should plan for the change and can review the form details on the official CBP page for Form I‑94 here.

Practical money points and refund rules

• Apply before September 30, 2025 → pay $21.
• Apply after that date → pay $40.
• ESTA approvals do not guarantee admission at the border, but are required for boarding a carrier under the VWP.
• If an ESTA authorization is denied under the current fee structure, the government keeps the $4 processing portion and refunds the $17 travel promotion portion. In that case, the traveler must pursue a standard B1/B2 visa at a U.S. consulate (more time‑intensive and costly).

Impact on travelers and industry

Families and tour operators:
– Filing before the deadline can yield substantial savings.
– Example: A family of four visiting in June 2026
– File August 2025: 4 x $21 = $84
– File October 2025: 4 x $40 = $160

Small businesses and events:
– Higher fees add friction for short visits and could influence attendance at trade shows or boutique events.
– University recruiters and campus visitors from VWP countries may face higher pre‑trip costs.

Airlines, airports and system readiness:
– The online platform must switch to the new amount on the effective date; payment failures could cause boarding delays.
– CBP’s Federal Register confirmation gives carriers time to update systems.
– Travel insurers may update guidance to reflect the higher fee and the passport‑based validity of ESTA.

VisaVerge.com notes H.R. 1 aims to secure predictable funding for electronic vetting and screening to avoid periodic shortfalls. Tourism groups ask for:
– Simpler help content in multiple languages
– Clear refund rules when denials happen
They argue better user support can offset some pain from the fee increase.

For Chinese travelers using EVUS, the $30 charge affects repeat short visits. Frequent land crossers (many from Mexico and Canada) will face the new $30 Form I‑94 fee; border towns expect modest effects on same‑day shopping and dining.

How to avoid extra costs and mistakes

Travelers should use the official site to avoid third‑party surcharges. The only trusted portal for ESTA is the CBP page: apply and pay the fee directly through the government system at the official ESTA resource here.

• Filing on unofficial sites can add broker fees without benefit.
• Mistakes can cause delays or denials.
• CBP’s site provides status checks and updates if you change airlines or travel dates.

Simple filing plan

1. Check if your passport country is in the Visa Waiver Program.
2. Confirm your passport will remain valid for at least six months past your trip.
3. Apply on the official CBP ESTA page and pay $21 if you file before September 30, 2025.
4. After that date, be prepared to pay $40 for each traveler, including children.
5. Review your answers for accuracy to avoid mismatches that may trigger a denial.
6. Save the approval email and note the two‑year validity window.
7. If denied under the current setup, prepare to seek a B1/B2 visa at a U.S. consulate.

Airports and carriers should prepare communications now—clear pre‑trip emails explaining the new fee, the deadline, and links to the official site can cut last‑minute confusion. Hotels can add a brief notice on booking pages for Visa Waiver visitors.

Timing and broader policy implications

• The switch in late September arrives after peak summer travel but before the holiday season, allowing a buffer for system testing and adjustments.
• Travel agents expect a filing rush in August and September 2025 as people lock in the lower price.
• Policy watchers note fee changes rarely happen in isolation; H.R. 1 may prompt reviews of other user‑paid charges tied to border screening tools. Further changes would generally need new notices and comment periods.

There is also a fairness debate:
– Some say visitors benefit from faster screening and should help pay for it.
– Others argue the U.S. should keep entry costs low to remain competitive as a tourism destination.
Both perspectives will shape how fees and services evolve.

Final takeaway

For now, travelers face a straightforward choice:
– Apply before September 30, 2025 and pay $21.
– Apply after that date and pay $40.

People with firm travel plans in 2026 or early 2027 should consider filing this year to save money and avoid extra tasks later. Families should check every passport in the group and renew early if any passports expire soon, because a new passport number requires a new ESTA and a new fee.

DHS and CBP say they will provide public reminders as the date approaches. Applicants who use the official sites, double‑check their details, and apply early should experience a smooth process even as the price rises.