Key points
- The US ESTA fee rises from $40.27 to $40.62 on October 16, 2026
- Only the inflation-linked part of the fee changes, and that part, now $10.62, is also what a denied application costs
- EVUS enrollment for eligible Chinese visitors rises from $30.75 to $31.75
- A valid ESTA needs no new payment; the higher fee applies only to new applications
The US Department of Homeland Security has raised the ESTA fee by 35 cents in its yearly inflation adjustment
The fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which Visa Waiver Program travelers need before visiting the United States, rises from $40.27 to $40.62 on October 16, 2026. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the change in a notice published in the Federal Register on October 1, 2026, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) starts charging the new amount on that date.
The increase comes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, known as HR-1, which requires DHS to adjust part of the ESTA fee for inflation every year. The Consumer Price Index rose 3.36% between July 2025 and July 2026, according to the notice, and the fee follows it.
How much does an ESTA cost from October 16, 2026?
The total ESTA fee is three government fees combined: two fixed amounts of $17 and $13 per travel authorization, set by HR-1, plus a charge that covers the cost of running the ESTA system. Only that last part is adjusted for inflation, and it rises from $10.27 to $10.62.
| Fee | Before October 16, 2026 | From October 16, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Approved ESTA | $40.27 | $40.62 |
| Denied ESTA application | $10.27 | $10.62 |
| EVUS enrollment | $30.75 | $31.75 |
What happens if my ESTA application is denied?
A denied application costs $10.62 from October 16, up from $10.27. That is the system cost part of the fee, which applies to every application whether or not it’s approved.
In the event the ESTA application is denied, the FY 2027 fee is $10.62 to ensure recovery of the costs of providing and administering the ESTA System.
Do I need to pay again if I already have an ESTA?
No. The fee is charged when you apply, so an ESTA approved before October 16 stays valid without any extra payment. An ESTA is generally valid for two years, or until your passport expires if that comes first. The new amount applies to applications from October 16 onward.
Does the change affect EVUS?
Yes. The same notice raises the fee for the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) from $30.75 to $31.75. Chinese nationals who hold a maximum-validity US visitor visa must enroll in EVUS before traveling to the United States.
What this means for travelers
The change is small: 35 cents per application. Anyone who already holds a valid ESTA doesn’t need to do anything. Because HR-1 ties the fee to inflation, expect it to move again each year.
This update follows a wider trend of governments charging more for digital travel authorizations, from the UK ETA to Europe’s upcoming ETIAS, which we covered in our look at how visa fees are rising as digital entry requirements expand.
