International visitors from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries planning U.S. trips in 2026 must budget for a higher Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) cost: US $40.27 per applicant. The increase—which nearly doubled the previous US $21 charge—has been in force since 1 September 2025, but a fresh explainer published today has reignited debate among travel managers on how the fee affects mobility budgets. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) broke the price into a static US $4 processing fee and a US $36.27 authorization surcharge earmarked partly for Brand USA tourism promotion .
![ESTA Fee Now $40.27: What the 2026 Price Means for Business and Leisure Travelers]()
Travelers who prefer concierge support rather than navigating the government portal themselves can lean on VisaHQ’s specialists, who handle ESTA submissions, send renewal reminders, and troubleshoot payment glitches; learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
For corporates, the higher fee remains modest compared with the US $185 machine-readable visa (MRV) charge for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, yet finance teams should anticipate larger aggregate outlays for frequent-flyer assignees or meeting groups. A team of ten executives entering on ESTA, for example, now costs US $402.70 in government fees versus US $210 two years ago. Employers that previously reimbursed the ESTA fee may need to update travel policies to reflect the new price point and clarify that each traveler—including minors—must file a separate application. CBP argues that the hike funds system security upgrades, faster adjudication and biometric enhancements. Travel-risk advisers note that the investment links directly to CBP’s roll-out of facial-comparison kiosks at 32 U.S. ports and to cyber-security work that shields the ESTA portal from spoof sites and fee-gouging intermediaries. The government also directs a portion of the authorization fee to Brand USA, the public-private marketing body created under the 2010 Travel Promotion Act, meaning some of the money flows back into demand-generation campaigns that underpin the visitor economy. Practical tips for travelers include using only the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov domain; verifying that a bank allows foreign-currency e-commerce transactions; and applying at least 72 hours pre-departure to avoid last-minute denials. Corporate mobility teams can bulk-prepare passport and parent-company information so that road-warriors complete the form quickly. Because each new passport triggers a fresh ESTA filing, companies should monitor employee passport expiry windows to avoid invalid authorizations on tight travel timelines.
Travelers who prefer concierge support rather than navigating the government portal themselves can lean on VisaHQ’s specialists, who handle ESTA submissions, send renewal reminders, and troubleshoot payment glitches; learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
For corporates, the higher fee remains modest compared with the US $185 machine-readable visa (MRV) charge for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, yet finance teams should anticipate larger aggregate outlays for frequent-flyer assignees or meeting groups. A team of ten executives entering on ESTA, for example, now costs US $402.70 in government fees versus US $210 two years ago. Employers that previously reimbursed the ESTA fee may need to update travel policies to reflect the new price point and clarify that each traveler—including minors—must file a separate application. CBP argues that the hike funds system security upgrades, faster adjudication and biometric enhancements. Travel-risk advisers note that the investment links directly to CBP’s roll-out of facial-comparison kiosks at 32 U.S. ports and to cyber-security work that shields the ESTA portal from spoof sites and fee-gouging intermediaries. The government also directs a portion of the authorization fee to Brand USA, the public-private marketing body created under the 2010 Travel Promotion Act, meaning some of the money flows back into demand-generation campaigns that underpin the visitor economy. Practical tips for travelers include using only the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov domain; verifying that a bank allows foreign-currency e-commerce transactions; and applying at least 72 hours pre-departure to avoid last-minute denials. Corporate mobility teams can bulk-prepare passport and parent-company information so that road-warriors complete the form quickly. Because each new passport triggers a fresh ESTA filing, companies should monitor employee passport expiry windows to avoid invalid authorizations on tight travel timelines.
