ESTA Fee Rises to US$40.62 on Friday
US Customs and Border Protection starts charging inflation-adjusted fees on 16 October: ESTA rises to US$40.62 and EVUS to US$31.75. Approved applications aren't affected.
Applying to visit the US gets slightly more expensive on Friday. A notice in the Federal Register on 1 October says US Customs and Border Protection “will begin assessing the FY 2027 amounts” on 16 October 2026.
The new fees
| Fee | Now | From 16 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | US$40.27 | US$40.62 |
| Denied ESTA application | — | US$10.62 |
| EVUS (Chinese 10-year visa holders) | US$30.75 | US$31.75 |
| Land-border I-94 | US$30 | US$30 (unchanged) |
Only the cost-recovery part of the ESTA rises, from US$10.27 to US$10.62. The other components are unchanged.
Who it affects
ESTA covers travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Canadians don’t need one. An approved ESTA is generally valid for two years, so travellers who already hold one aren’t affected.
For advisors
- Applying this week? Submitting before 16 October saves 35 US cents. It isn’t worth rushing for.
- The bigger point: this is an inflation adjustment required under H.R. 1, so expect similar adjustments in future fiscal years.
- Tell clients to apply only on the official CBP site. Third-party sites charge far more.
Sources
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