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. 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.
Source: US ESTA Visa Guide
