How much is ESTA? As of 10 November 2026, the fee is US$40.62 for an approved application, and CBP began charging that amount on 16 October 2026. It replaced the US$40.27 rate that applied earlier in 2026. If you are a British or Australian citizen visiting the USA for tourism or business for 90 days or less, you will normally need an approved ESTA before you travel. This guide explains the cost, who needs it, how long it lasts and what to do if it is refused.
How much is ESTA in 2026?
The figure comes from a Department of Homeland Security notice in the Federal Register, published on 1 October 2026. It sets the fiscal year 2027 ESTA fee at US$40.62 per travel authorisation and says CBP begins assessing it on 16 October 2026. The fee is charged in US dollars, so your card issuer will convert it to pounds or Australian dollars at its own rate and may add foreign transaction charges.
The total is made up of three parts, and only one of them moved this time.
| Component | Amount (US$) | Changed on 16 October 2026? |
|---|---|---|
| Travel authorisation fee | 17.00 | No |
| Cost recovery fee | 10.62 | Yes, up from 10.27 |
| Per-authorisation fee | 13.00 | No |
| Total if approved | 40.62 | Up 35 cents |
The same notice says that if an application is denied, the fee is US$10.62, which covers the cost recovery element. Many travel sites quote the 35-cent rise as a general “ESTA price hike”, but the practical effect for a single traveller is tiny. The bigger money risk is paying the wrong website, covered below.
Who needs an ESTA?
ESTA is the online authorisation for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Department of Homeland Security lists both the United Kingdom and Australia as VWP countries. For the UK, it applies to British citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the UK. The programme allows visits of up to 90 days for business or tourism without a visa.
You need an approved ESTA before you board if you are travelling under the VWP. CBP’s own page says you must hold an e-Passport (one with a chip), and UK government travel advice adds that a selfie photo is now required, so an ESTA submitted without one may mean applying again. Check your account before you fly.
An ESTA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry. CBP says approval does not decide whether you are admissible; an officer makes that call at the border.
ESTA at a glance
| Question | Answer (as of 10 November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Fee if approved | US$40.62 |
| Fee if denied | US$10.62 |
| Validity | Generally two years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner |
| Maximum stay per visit | 90 days or less |
| Purpose | Tourism or business under the Visa Waiver Program |
| Where to apply | esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the official CBP mobile apps |
How long does an ESTA last?
An approved ESTA is generally valid for two years from the date of issue, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. That means a passport with only 14 months left will give you an ESTA of no more than 14 months. If you renew your passport, you will need a new ESTA because the old one is tied to the old passport details.
The two years does not mean you can stay two years. Each visit is limited to 90 days or less. You can make several trips while the ESTA remains valid, but you should not treat repeated back-to-back stays as a way to live in the USA.
How to apply, and why only the official site
CBP directs travellers to esta.cbp.dhs.gov for applications, and the UK government’s travel advice points to the same site and its official mobile apps. The fee shown there is the government fee. Other websites that add “processing” or “assistance” charges are not the government, and any amount above the official fee is their own mark-up for something you can do yourself. Type the address in directly rather than clicking an advert, and check the page asks for no more than the fee above.
What you will need
- Your e-Passport, with the details exactly as printed
- A payment card for the US$40.62 fee
- A selfie photo, as required by the current process
- Your travel and contact details for the USA
How long does approval take?
The CBP and UK government pages listed below do not give a guaranteed processing time, so do not rely on a same-day answer. CBP says you can apply at any time before travel and suggests applying as soon as you start planning, ideally before buying flights. Do not leave it to the airport.
What can cause an ESTA to be refused?
UK government advice says you may not be able to get an ESTA if you have been arrested (even without a conviction), have a criminal record, have been refused admission to or deported from the USA, or have overstayed on a previous ESTA. CBP also lists travel-based restrictions. Travellers who were in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, or in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, are generally affected, with limited exceptions such as military service or official government duties. Dual nationality with some of these countries can also matter.
Answer every question truthfully. Travelling on an ESTA when you are not eligible can lead to detention and deportation, according to the UK government.
What to do if your ESTA is refused
CBP says that if an ESTA is denied or revoked, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate. Keep a copy of the denial. If you have imminent business, medical or humanitarian travel, it may help when requesting an expedited visa appointment. Being ineligible for ESTA is not a bar to travel; it just moves you to the visa route, which has its own fee and interview.
What to do now
- Check your passport is an e-Passport and note its expiry date, since it caps your ESTA.
- Log in to the official site and check whether your current ESTA is still valid and linked to the right passport.
- If you need a new one, apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and expect to pay US$40.62.
- Apply before you book flights if you can, so a refusal does not cost you a ticket. If you are still comparing fares, see the Ease Advise cheap air tickets page.
- Check your bag against airline rules with the carry-on size guide for US airlines.
If your plans include other countries with similar systems, the Ease Advise guides to the UK ETA and ETIAS for Europe explain how those schemes compare. If a flight goes wrong on the way home, see how to claim compensation for a delayed flight in the UK.
FAQ
Do I have to pay again because the fee changed?
An ESTA already approved stays valid for its normal period, and the October change only affects fees assessed from 16 October 2026. Check your status on the official site before you travel.
Can I stay in the USA for two years on an ESTA?
No. The authorisation can last up to two years, but each visit is limited to 90 days or less, and entry is decided by a border officer.
Do British and Australian citizens both need an ESTA?
Yes, if travelling under the Visa Waiver Program. Both countries are VWP members, though British eligibility applies to citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the UK.
Bottom line
The answer to “how much is ESTA” is US$40.62 as of 10 November 2026, paid only on the official CBP site. Apply early, keep your passport details accurate, and treat any site asking for more as a reseller. If you are refused, the next step is a visa application, not another ESTA attempt.
Sources
- Federal Register: Certain DHS Immigration-Related Fees Required by HR-1, Fiscal Year 2027 Adjustments for Inflation (1 October 2026)
- US Department of Homeland Security: Visa Waiver Program
- US Customs and Border Protection: ESTA
- US Customs and Border Protection: Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act FAQ
- GOV.UK: USA entry requirements
