Travellers from Italy planning business or leisure trips to the United States face sharply higher entry costs next autumn. Travel & Tour World reports that, as part of a broad restructuring of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the U.S. will raise the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) charge from US$21 to US$40 and add a new US$250 “visa-integrity fee” for full B-class tourist visas.
The fee hike, scheduled to coincide with preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will affect millions of European travellers and all Italian passport holders. For most short-term visitors the total cost of obtaining travel authorisation will almost double, while those who do not qualify for the VWP—such as journalists staying more than 90 days—will see the combined visa price soar to roughly US$442.
![U.S. Visa & ESTA Fees to Nearly Double for Italians in 2025 Overhaul]()
U.S. officials say the additional revenue will fund enhanced screening technology and staffing, but European business-lobby groups argue that the timing will discourage SME exporters who rely on quick trans-Atlantic trips. Airlines and tour operators are already recalculating package prices for 2026.
Practical tip: Italian corporates should budget higher per-diem allowances for U.S. assignments starting in late 2025 and encourage staff to file ESTA applications well before the rush expected in Q3 2025.
The fee hike, scheduled to coincide with preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will affect millions of European travellers and all Italian passport holders. For most short-term visitors the total cost of obtaining travel authorisation will almost double, while those who do not qualify for the VWP—such as journalists staying more than 90 days—will see the combined visa price soar to roughly US$442.
U.S. officials say the additional revenue will fund enhanced screening technology and staffing, but European business-lobby groups argue that the timing will discourage SME exporters who rely on quick trans-Atlantic trips. Airlines and tour operators are already recalculating package prices for 2026.
Practical tip: Italian corporates should budget higher per-diem allowances for U.S. assignments starting in late 2025 and encourage staff to file ESTA applications well before the rush expected in Q3 2025.
