U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the implementation of a substantial fee increase for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), effective September 30, 2025. This change is mandated by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” or HR-1, a comprehensive legislative package signed into law by the President on July 4, 2025.
The fee for an ESTA, which is required for eligible travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to enter the United States, will rise from $21 to $40. This marks a significant, nearly 90% increase and is the largest since the program’s inception. The new fee replaces the previous structure and applies to all new applications submitted on or after the effective date.
CBP’s notice clarifies that the new $40 fee is the minimum amount for Fiscal Year 2025. As stipulated by HR-1, these fees will be subject to annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index. The funds generated from the increased fees will be allocated to various government agencies or the U.S. Treasury, as directed by the law.
Citizens from 42 countries worldwide are able to travel to the U.S. without applying for a visa at an embassy under the Visa Waiver Program. Instead, they can apply for the ESTA online. ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
A new $24 fee will be added to the existing $6 fee for a foreign national applying for a Form I-94 at a land border port of entry. This brings the total fee to $30. This fee does not apply to air or sea arrivals, as the Form I-94 is automatically issued to those travelers.
A new $30 fee will be required for aliens enrolling in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS). This system is currently used by nationals of the People’s Republic of China who hold a 10-year visitor visa to update their travel information prior to coming to the U.S. Previously, there was no fee for EVUS enrollment.
The new fee schedule is in line with other immigration funding updates under HR-1, including new and increased fees for USCIS and a “visa integrity fee” for nonimmigrant visa holders.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
