Fees for European travelers to the US doubled - Visa-free travel application will cost $40 from September 30
Starting this fall, many travelers to the United States will face a significant increase in the fee for visa-free travel authorization. Citizens of 41 countries, including those from the European Union and the United Kingdom, must apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for visits of up to 90 days. The measure is part of the Visa Waiver Program.
The application fee is expected to double at the end of September. It currently costs $21, but will increase to $40 on September 30, 2025. The ESTA remains valid for two years and is mandatory for all travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
The structure includes a $10 processing fee and an additional $30 fee that is paid only if the authorization is approved. This fee consists of $17 for promoting U.S. tourism and $13 for the general fund of the State Treasury. If the ESTA application is denied, travelers pay only $10.
The fee increase was approved by the US Congress in July and has been criticized by the American Travel Association, which warns that the decision could negatively affect the flow of foreign tourists. The United States is facing a significant decline in the number of international travelers.
According to the data, international arrivals, excluding travelers from Canada and Mexico, have decreased by 1.6% so far in 2025, compared to the same period last year, which translates into more than 3 million fewer tourists. In July, the number of foreign travelers shrank by 3.1% compared to the same month in 2024, reaching 19.2 million visitors. This was the fifth consecutive month in which there was a decline in visits from abroad. Among the factors that have negatively affected the attraction of foreign tourists are the Trump administration's tough immigration policies, numerous trade tariffs and cuts in foreign aid.
In addition to the ESTA fee increase, travelers from countries not part of the Visa Waiver Program, such as Argentina, Mexico, China, Brazil, and India, will face a new measure called a $250 "visa integrity fee," which will take effect on October 1, 2025.
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