The ESTA now costs $40.27 and remains the fastest route into the United States for travellers from 42 Visa Waiver Program countries. Here is what changed in 2026, who must apply for a B visa instead, and how World Cup demand is squeezing timelines.
Cover image: international arrivals at a US airport — photo by Asher Heimermann, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Travellers from the 42 countries in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) need an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, before boarding any flight or vessel to the United States. As of 1 January 2026 the ESTA costs $40.27, up from $40 after an inflation adjustment and nearly double the $21 charged before 30 September 2025, when fee increases mandated by the HR-1 budget law took effect. An approved ESTA is valid for two years (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first), covers multiple entries, and permits stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business or transit. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) no longer issues real-time approvals and tells travellers to apply at least 72 hours before departure. Ineligible travellers, including anyone who has visited Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria and other listed countries, must instead obtain a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, which now costs $435 and can involve interview waits of many months.
How much does an ESTA cost in 2026?
The headline change for 2026 is price. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), signed in July 2025, the ESTA fee jumped from $21 to $40 on 30 September 2025, a rise CBP formalised in a Federal Register notice. A statutory inflation adjustment then lifted it to $40.27 from 1 January 2026.
Of that total, only around $10 covers CBP's processing costs; the remainder is split by statute between system operations and Brand USA, the country's destination-marketing body. If an application is denied, the traveller pays only the processing portion, currently $10.27. The trend is international: Japan quintupled its visa fees from July 2026, and the UK and EU are rolling out their own paid travel authorisations.
How long is an ESTA valid and who qualifies?
An approved ESTA is valid for two years from approval and allows unlimited entries within that window, each for a stay of up to 90 days. If the passport used to apply expires sooner, the ESTA expires with it. A new passport always means a new ESTA.
Eligibility rests on nationality. The US Department of State lists 42 participating countries, including the United Kingdom, most EU member states, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Qatar. Travellers must hold an e-passport with an embedded chip and must not intend to work, study for credit or stay beyond 90 days. The 90-day clock cannot be extended, and hopping to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean does not reset it.
Who must apply for a B visa instead of an ESTA?
A meaningful share of VWP-country passport holders cannot use ESTA at all. Under the terrorism-related restrictions in US law, the following groups must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa at a US embassy or consulate:
- Nationals of VWP countries who have travelled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011 (limited diplomatic and military exceptions apply)
- Those who have visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021
- Dual nationals of a VWP country and Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria
- Anyone previously denied an ESTA, refused a US visa or refused entry, unless circumstances have materially changed
- Travellers planning stays longer than 90 days, or trips involving paid work or formal study
The B visa route has become markedly more expensive. On top of the $185 application fee, HR-1 introduced a $250 "visa integrity fee" collected at issuance, taking the effective cost of a US visitor visa to about $435.
ESTA vs B-1/B-2 visa: how do costs and processing compare?
Cost and speed differ sharply between the two routes. ESTA decisions typically arrive within minutes to 72 hours. B visa applicants face an online DS-160 form, an in-person interview and appointment backlogs that, according to State Department wait-time data, still run to well over a year at some posts in India and Brazil, while much of Western Europe is measured in weeks. A State Department pilot running from 1 July to 31 December 2026 offers an optional $750 expedited interview within 10 business days for B-1/B-2 applicants.
| Feature | ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | B-1/B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $40.27 | About $435 ($185 fee + $250 integrity fee) |
| Processing time | Minutes to 72 hours | Weeks to 12+ months, depending on post |
| Interview | None (online form) | In-person interview usually required |
| Validity | 2 years, multiple entries | Often up to 10 years, per reciprocity |
| Maximum stay | 90 days, no extension | Up to 6 months, extendable |
What actually happens at the US border?
Neither an ESTA nor a visa guarantees admission; both simply allow a traveller to board and request entry. The final decision rests with the CBP officer at the port of entry, who can question travellers, inspect electronic devices and refuse admission. Vetting has tightened since 2025, and previously approved ESTAs have reportedly been revoked before travel, so status is worth rechecking close to departure.
ESTA-based entrants also give up significant rights: VWP travellers waive the right to contest a removal decision, other than by claiming asylum. Trade sellers should brief clients to carry evidence of onward travel, accommodation and funds, and to answer questions plainly. Similar automated pre-screening is spreading worldwide, from the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation to the EU's delayed ETIAS scheme.
How is the 2026 World Cup changing US entry demand?
The FIFA World Cup, running across the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026, has put unprecedented strain on the entry system, with an estimated 6.5 million fans on the move. The State Department set up a FIFA-linked priority appointment channel (FIFA PASS) for ticket holders needing visa interviews, while urging fans from visa countries to apply months ahead. With knockout-stage travel now surging, CBP's advice holds for any 2026 arrival: secure the ESTA before paying for flights, not after.
Frequently asked questions
How early should travellers apply for an ESTA?
CBP recommends applying as soon as travel planning starts and no later than 72 hours before boarding, since real-time approvals are no longer issued. Most decisions arrive within minutes, but some take the full 72 hours.
Is an ESTA bought at the old $21 fee still valid?
Yes. An ESTA approved before the September 2025 fee rise remains valid for its full two-year term or until the passport expires. The new $40.27 fee applies only to new applications.
Can a 90-day Visa Waiver Program stay be extended?
No. VWP stays cannot be extended, and short trips to Canada, Mexico or nearby islands do not reset the clock. Travellers who need longer stays must apply for a B-2 visa before travelling.
What happens if an ESTA application is denied?
A denial is not a ban on travel to the US, but the traveller must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa through an embassy or consulate instead. Only the $10.27 processing portion of the ESTA fee is charged on a denied application.
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