U.S. Modifies ESTA Fee for 2026 Following Adjustment for Inflation

U.S. Modifies ESTA Fee for 2026 Following Adjustment for Inflation

According to a little inflation update released by CBP, visitors to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program would pay $40.27 for ESTA starting in January 2026 rather than $40.

Travelers using the Visa Waiver Program to enter the United States will see a little adjustment in the price of their ESTA beginning on January 1, 2026. Due to yearly inflation changes, the price will rise from $40 to $40.27, a 27-cent increase.

A Minor Modification Following a Strong Hike
After the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1) went into effect just a year ago, the ESTA price increased dramatically from $21 to $40. For millions of travelers, that was a big shift. As required by law, the U.S. government is only making a little adjustment based on inflation this time.

The hike is attributed to a 2.7% increase in the Consumer Price Index, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). On November 19, 2025, the modification was formally released in the Federal Register.

How the Fee Breakdown Has Changed
Only one of the three components of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) charge will change in 2026.
Component Old Fee New Fee (2026)Tourism Promotion Fund $17 $17 No change
Part of the Program$13 $13 No change

System Management (adjusted for inflation)$10 $10.27 + $0.27
Total: $40.27 + 0.27
Travelers only have to pay the management fee, which is now $10.27, if their ESTA application is rejected.

Increases in Other Immigration Fees
There are more changes besides the ESTA cost hike. Asylum, parole, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications are among the various immigration categories for which USCIS will increase costs beginning in January 2026. Standard inflation adjustments are the source of this increase.

The following are the new costs for the immigration forms:

Form Type: Old Fee (USD) New Fee (USD)
$100 is the annual asylum application fee.$102
Form I-765 (EAD, Initial Asylum Applicant)$550 and $560
Initial Parole EAD Form I-765 $550 $560
Form I-765 (Parole EAD Renewal/Extension) $275 $280
Form I-765 (First TPS EAD) $550 $560
Form I-765 (TPS EAD Renewal/Extension) $275 $280
Form I-131 (Part 9 – EAD for Re-Parole) $275 $280
Form I-821 (TPS Application) $500 $510

Who Can Use ESTA and What It Is
Citizens of countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can enter the United States for up to 90-day business or tourism visits without a visa thanks to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, an online travel authorization.

Once approved, the online application is good for two years or until the traveler's passport expires. Before travelers board a plane, ESTA assists the United States in screening them. Travel is safer and easier thanks to this procedure.

Nations Qualified for ESTA
The Visa Waiver Program currently covers 42 nations. The complete list is as follows:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Chile and Brunei
Croatia
Denmark and the Czech Republic
Finland's Estonia
France
Germany
Greece and Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Japan and Italy
Latvia
The Liechtenstein
Lithuania and Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
The Netherlands
The New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
The San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
The South Korean
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom

Concluding Remarks
The ESTA charge update for 2026 is hardly perceptible. Travelers planning visits to the United States won't be significantly affected by a 27-cent increase, especially in light of the considerable increase from the previous year. But it serves as a helpful reminder to always verify the most recent travel regulations and costs before submitting an application.