Understanding the costs and validity period of your ESTA is essential for planning your trip to the United States. This guide covers the current ESTA fees, how long your authorization lasts, when you need to reapply, and important details about the validity period.
Current ESTA Fee Breakdown
The total cost of an ESTA application is $40.27 USD as of 2026. This fee consists of two components:
| Fee Type | Amount | When Charged |
|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | $10.27 | At time of application submission |
| Travel Promotion Act Fee | $13.00 | Upon application approval |
| Authorization Fee | $17.00 | Upon application approval |
| Total | $40.27 | – |
The $10.27 application processing fee is non-refundable and is charged for all applications regardless of outcome. If your application is approved, the additional $30.00 is charged to your payment method.
Note: The total ESTA fee increased from $21.00 to $40.00 on September 30, 2025, following the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The application fee portion is subject to annual inflation adjustments as mandated by the legislation.
Accepted Payment Methods
The official ESTA website accepts the following payment methods:
- MasterCard
- VISA
- American Express
- Discover (JCB or Diners Club only)
- PayPal
Debit cards with a MasterCard or VISA logo are also accepted. Cash, checks, money orders, and bank transfers are not accepted.
ESTA Validity Period
An approved ESTA is valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this validity period, you can make multiple trips to the United States without reapplying.
Validity Exceptions
Certain nationalities have modified ESTA validity periods:
- Brunei nationals: ESTA validity is limited to one year (since July 2023)
- Previously, Hungarian nationals had one-year, single-use validity (restriction removed September 2025)
Your ESTA validity dates are displayed when you check your application status on the official ESTA website.
What the Validity Period Means
The two-year validity period allows you to:
- Make unlimited trips to the United States
- Stay up to 90 days per visit
- Enter through any U.S. port of entry (air, sea, or land)
- Visit U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands
The validity period does NOT allow you to:
- Stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days per visit
- Work or seek employment in the United States
- Enroll in full-time academic study
- Change your immigration status while in the U.S.
When Your ESTA Expires Early
Your ESTA becomes invalid before its two-year expiration date if any of the following occur:
- Your passport expires or is replaced
- You change your name (through marriage, legal name change, etc.)
- You change your gender
- You change your country of nationality
- Any answer to your eligibility questions changes (e.g., you are arrested, you travel to a restricted country)
In these cases, you must submit a new ESTA application and pay the full fee again. Your previous ESTA will be automatically invalidated.
ESTA and Passport Expiration
Your ESTA validity is tied to your passport expiration date. If your passport expires in less than two years, your ESTA will be valid only until the passport expiration date. This means:
- If your passport expires in 6 months, your ESTA is valid for 6 months
- If your passport expires in 18 months, your ESTA is valid for 18 months
- If your passport has more than 2 years remaining, your ESTA is valid for the full 2 years
Planning Tip: If your passport is close to expiration, consider renewing it before applying for ESTA to maximize your authorization period.
ESTA for Children: Same Cost and Validity
Children and infants require their own ESTA authorization, and the cost is the same as for adults – $40.27 per application. There is no reduced fee for children. The validity period is also the same: two years or until the child’s passport expires.
If you are traveling as a family, budget for the full ESTA fee for each family member, regardless of age.
Group Applications and Fees
Group ESTA applications allow you to submit multiple applications in a single session. However, each person in the group pays the individual fee of $40.27. The group feature is a convenience for families and travel groups – it does not provide a group discount.
Each group member’s application is processed individually, and approvals may not occur simultaneously. Check each person’s status separately.
ESTA Renewal Process
You cannot renew an existing ESTA. When your authorization expires or becomes invalid, you must submit a new application. The renewal process is identical to your first application:
- Visit esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- Complete a new application form
- Pay the $40.27 fee
- Wait for approval (usually instant, but allow up to 72 hours)
You can apply for a new ESTA at any time, even before your current one expires. There is no penalty or disadvantage to applying early.
ESTA Fees Compared to Visa Costs
The ESTA fee of $40.27 is significantly less than the cost of a U.S. visa:
| Authorization Type | Cost | Processing Time | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESTA (VWP) | $40.27 | Seconds to 72 hours | 2 years |
| B-1/B-2 Visa | $185 | Weeks to months | Up to 10 years |
While the ESTA is cheaper and faster to obtain, it is only available to citizens of VWP countries and limits stays to 90 days. A B-1/B-2 visa allows stays of up to 6 months per entry and is available to citizens of any country.
Free vs. Paid ESTA Information
The official ESTA application is only available through the U.S. government website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov for $40.27. Be cautious of:
- Third-party websites charging $50-$200+ for the same service
- Websites claiming to expedite ESTA for additional fees
- Email or phone solicitations offering ESTA assistance for a fee
- Websites with URLs similar to the official site
These unauthorized services provide no additional benefit and may compromise your personal information. The official government website is the only legitimate source for ESTA applications.
ESTA Fee History
Understanding the fee history provides context for current pricing:
| Period | Total Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008-2010 | Free | ESTA initially launched at no cost |
| 2010-2022 | $14.00 | Travel Promotion Act fees introduced |
| 2022-2025 | $21.00 | TPA fee increased to $17 |
| 2025-present | $40.27 | One Big Beautiful Bill Act fees |
The fees fund U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations and the Corporation for Travel Promotion (Brand USA).
Refund Policy
ESTA application fees are generally non-refundable. The $10.27 processing fee is charged for all applications regardless of outcome. If your application is denied, you will only be charged the $10.27 processing fee – the additional $30.00 authorization fee is not charged for denied applications.
If you believe you were charged in error or experienced a technical issue during payment, you can contact CBP for assistance. Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Saving Money on ESTA
While you cannot reduce the ESTA fee itself, here are ways to save money related to your ESTA:
- Apply only through the official website to avoid third-party markups
- Apply early to avoid last-minute stress and potential errors that require reapplication
- Double-check all information before submitting to avoid paying for a second application
- Keep your passport valid for at least two years to maximize your ESTA validity
- Travel before your ESTA expires to avoid unnecessary reapplication
What Happens to Unused ESTA?
If you have an approved ESTA but do not travel to the United States, the authorization simply expires at the end of its validity period. There is no penalty for not using an approved ESTA, and it does not affect future applications.
If you apply for a new ESTA while your current one is still valid, the new application will replace the existing authorization. The old ESTA will be invalidated, and the new two-year period begins from the new approval date.
ESTA and Multiple Passports
If you hold passports from multiple VWP countries, you can apply for ESTA with each passport. However, each ESTA application requires its own fee of $40.27. When traveling, you should use the passport and associated ESTA that is most advantageous for your trip.
If you obtain a new passport (even from the same country), you must apply for a new ESTA. The old ESTA is linked to the old passport and cannot be transferred.
Frequently Asked Questions About ESTA Cost and Validity
Why did the ESTA fee increase?
The ESTA fee increased from $21 to $40.27 on September 30, 2025, due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation increased the application processing fee from $4 to $10 and added a new $13 Travel Promotion Act fee. The application fee is also subject to annual inflation adjustments.
Can I get a refund if my ESTA is denied?
The $10.27 application processing fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied. However, the $30.00 authorization fee is only charged for approved applications. If denied, your total cost is $10.27 rather than the full $40.27.
Do I need to pay again if I get a new passport?
Yes, if you obtain a new passport, you must submit a new ESTA application and pay the full $40.27 fee. Your existing ESTA is linked to your old passport and becomes invalid when that passport is cancelled or expires.
Is the ESTA fee the same for all nationalities?
Yes, the ESTA fee is $40.27 for all eligible nationalities. There are no reduced rates based on nationality, age, or purpose of travel. Children and adults pay the same fee.
Can I pay the ESTA fee in my local currency?
The ESTA fee is charged in U.S. dollars. If your payment method uses a different currency, your bank or credit card company will convert the charge at their current exchange rate. Additional foreign transaction fees may apply depending on your card issuer.
How long before my trip should I apply for ESTA?
CBP recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure. However, you can apply up to two years in advance since the validity period begins from the approval date. Applying early gives you time to address any issues if your application is denied or requires additional processing.
Does my ESTA fee cover multiple trips?
Yes, the $40.27 fee covers your entire ESTA validity period (up to two years). You can make unlimited trips to the United States during this period without paying additional fees. Each stay can be up to 90 days.
Related Resources
For more information about ESTA and traveling to the United States, explore our guides on:
