ESTA fee hike: U.S. travel authorization cost to nearly double from September 2025

The cost of obtaining a U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will nearly double from September 2025, a move expected to affect millions of travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.

The hike reflects Washington’s push to raise revenue from inbound tourism while tightening oversight of short-term visits.

This significant hike follows the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in July 2025, which revised ESTA’s fee structure. The CBP has already updated the ESTA portal to reflect the change.

Any application paid before September 30 will remain at the current rate, but applications submitted and paid after the update will automatically be charged the new $40 fee. Importantly, travelers with a valid ESTA do not need to re-apply; their authorization remains valid until its expiration.

According to CBP, the $40 fee will be split as follows:

This means that while part of the fee goes directly into managing the ESTA system, the U.S. is also channeling more funds into broader fiscal programs and sustaining its tourism promotion campaigns.

ESTA is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens of about 40 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Instead, travelers must apply online for ESTA before boarding a flight or ship to the U.S.

Once approved, an ESTA is valid for two years (or until the traveler’s passport expires) and can be used for multiple trips. The system is designed to simplify entry for low-risk travelers while enhancing border security through pre-travel screening.

While most African nations are not part of the Visa Waiver Program, the ESTA fee increase still has indirect implications.

Currently, only a handful of African travelers, primarily those holding dual citizenship with VWP countries or residents abroad can make use of ESTA.

For the majority of Africans, travel to the U.S. requires applying for a traditional nonimmigrant visa, which is far more expensive than ESTA, costing $185 for a standard tourist visa and set to rise further with a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee from 2026, along with the burden of an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

However, the growing cost of ESTA highlights broader inequalities in global mobility.

African countries continue to face high visa rejection rates, long processing times, and costly application fees when compared to their European counterparts under the VWP.

This divide highlights the limited travel privileges available to African citizens and raises questions about inclusivity in U.S. immigration policy.

For travelers from VWP countries in Europe, Asia, and beyond, the ESTA fee increase will add a noticeable expense to trips to the U.S., particularly for families.

While $40 may seem modest compared to full visa costs, it signals Washington’s continued reliance on tourism-related levies to fund federal priorities.

For African policymakers, this development also serves as a reminder of the importance of regional integration and visa facilitation within Africa.

As the U.S. and other countries tighten entry costs and controls, African nations may need to expand intra-African openness through policies like the African Union’s push for a continental visa-free regime, to counterbalance these global travel barriers.