Travelers preparing to visit the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may soon face a significant increase in the cost of their Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA). A proposal currently being examined by U.S. legislators suggests increase ESTA fees from USD 21 to USD 40almost double the current rate.
This potential increase is part of a series of legislative recommendations from the House Judiciary Committeepublished in a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) dated May 19, 2025. The aim of this rate increase would be to generate additional federal revenues to help cover the growing costs of immigration management and national security.
The CBO, as a non-partisan organization charged with assessing the fiscal consequences of proposed legislation, has analyzed the budgetary impact of this proposal. According to its estimates, passage of the ESTA fee provision alone could increase revenues by $3.8 billion over the 2025-2034 period. It would also increase expenses by approximately $716 million, ultimately resulting in a net reduction in federal deficit of approximately $3.1 billion over the same decade.
It is important to stress that, for the time being, this increase is only a proposal and has not yet been adopted.. The U.S. legislative process requires that the bill containing this measure must first be debated and approved by the House of Representatives. House of Representativesthen examined and voted by the Senate.
If it passes both houses, it will then have to be signed by the President of the United States to become law. Only after it has been signed into law will the relevant agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), implement the new regulations.
Given Donald Trump's stance against the European equivalent of ESTA (ETIAS), it's a safe bet that this is a possible area for negotiation. To be continued in the next episode of the financial war promoted by the US President.
| An approved ESTA authorization is generally valid for two years or until the expiry of the traveler's passport, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries in the U.S., with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit. It is crucial to note thatESTA approval does not guarantee entry into the U.S. the final decision rests with CBP officers at the point of entry. Currently, the cost of ESTA is 21 USD, made up of a 4 USD processing fee and a 17 USD authorization fee. |
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