What changed: The US Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection published their annual inflation adjustment to immigration fees on 1 October 2026. For travellers, the headline is that the ESTA fee rises from $40.27 to $40.62 from 16 October 2026, an increase of 35 cents.
Who it affects
ESTA is the online travel authorisation for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, such as the UK and most EU states, who visit the United States for short stays. Citizens of South Africa, Zimbabwe and most other African countries are not in the programme and need a visa instead, so this change does not apply to them.
How the fee is made up
According to VisasNews, the total is three parts: $17, an operating component that moves from $10.27 to $10.62, and $13. Only the operating component is adjusted for inflation. The same report says that if an application is refused, the traveller pays only the operating component.
Key dates
- 1 October 2026: the adjustment is published in the Federal Register.
- 16 October 2026: the new $40.62 fee applies, per VisasNews. The Federal Register abstract we read does not itself state this date, so check it when you apply.
What to do now
- Apply only through the official government ESTA site, and check the fee shown before you pay.
- Budget $40.62 per traveller, including children, if you apply on or after 16 October.
- Apply well before departure, as approval is usually quick but not guaranteed to be instant.
- Keep your approval details with your passport details for check-in.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Confirm details with the official source.
