ESTA fee official CBP 2026: full pricing and refund policy — this guide explains the official 2026 ESTA fee for Visa Waiver Program travelers. Every figure here matches U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules and the official ESTA portal. Approval is mandatory before you board. That is why the published fee schedule matters. Below we break down the price tiers, the refund rules and CBP guidance. The $40.27 charge covers both processing and authorization.
TL;DR — the 2026 ESTA fee: $40.27 (CBP fee schedule, 30 May 2025). Apply at the official portal. Approval usually lands within 72 hours. Valid two years. Max stay 90 days.
What is the core ESTA fee rule?
The core rule: every Visa Waiver Program traveler must pay $40.27 to CBP before boarding a U.S.-bound carrier, may stay up to 90 days per entry, and keeps the authorization valid for 2 years.
CBP enforces the rule. Airlines refuse boarding when no approved ESTA is on file. So leaving fewer than 72 hours between application and departure is risky. Complex cases may still need manual review. The program covers 42 VWP countries (State Department, 2025). See also esta business travel usa.
Official CBP price components
The official fee has two parts: a $17.00 Travel Promotion Act surcharge and a $23.27 operational processing fee, totaling $40.27. The surcharge is non-refundable; the operational portion is refunded if you are denied.
| Item | USD | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Promotion Act surcharge | $17.00 | Brand USA marketing fund |
| Operational processing | $23.27 | CBP application review |
| Total | $40.27 | Per applicant |
| Refund if denied | $36.16 | Operational portion only |
This breakdown comes straight from the CBP fee schedule. Our esta for families children guide tracks every change.
Who has to pay?
Every applicant pays the fee — including infants and children — at $40.27 each. Each traveler must also be a national of one of the 42 VWP countries and hold an electronic passport.
- Per-applicant billing: A family of four pays $161.08 in fees.
- Children: Same fee as adults; no discount.
- Group rates: None; CBP does not offer bulk pricing.
- Country list: See esta for uk citizens.
- Prior travel flags: Travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since 2011 disqualifies under HR.158.
Ineligibility is not always permanent. Denied applicants can instead pursue a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.
How to pay the ESTA fee
File the form on the official portal, complete the eligibility questions, then pay $40.27 by Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover or PayPal. Save the application number — you will need it to check your status.
- Open the official portal — only esta.cbp.dhs.gov is authoritative.
- Provide passport data — number, surname, names, citizenship, DOB.
- Answer eligibility questions — diseases, criminal history.
- Add social media identifiers — required since 2026 per CBP rules.
- Pay $40.27 — major cards or PayPal.
- Receive decision — most issued within minutes.
In addition, see esta fee increases.
Refund policy
Refunds are partial. If denied, only the $23.27 operational fee comes back — the $17 surcharge does not. Approved applications never get a refund, whether or not the trip happens.
Refunds land back on the original payment method within 7–14 business days, per CBP guidance. Denied applicants who later switch to a consular visa pay the $185 visa fee separately. Pay once per application — duplicate charges often signal reseller fraud.
Common fee pitfalls
Most fee problems trace back to reseller markups, currency conversion charges, VPN-triggered fraud filters, and ‘express’ processing scams. CBP offers no expedited tiers — any paid ‘fast track’ is a third-party add-on.
- Reseller markup: Third-party sites charge $79–$120.
- Currency conversion: 1–3% from non-USD cards.
- ‘Express’ scams: CBP processes all applications in the same queue.
- VPN denials: Some VPN exit nodes trigger fraud filters.
- Auto-renewal traps: Some resellers add monthly subscriptions.
However, errors discovered after submission can sometimes be fixed. Notably, only address, email, phone and flight data may be edited. Consequently, identity errors require a fresh application — see esta application 2026 step by step.
ESTA fee vs B-1/B-2 visa fees
Set against a consular visa, the ESTA fee is just $40.27, clears within 72 hours and allows a 90-day stay; a B-1/B-2 visa costs $185, needs a consular interview and grants stays up to 180 days. ESTA wins on speed and price.
| Feature | ESTA | B1/B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $40.27 | $185.00 |
| Processing | 72 hours | 3–8 weeks |
| Max stay | 90 days | 180 days |
| Validity | 2 years | 10 years |
Indeed, our VWP countries tracks the trade-offs.
What changed in 2026
Three changes shape the 2026 rules: the $40.27 fee took full effect on 30 May 2025, social media identifiers became mandatory, and the new ESTA mobile app expanded biometrics. CBP also tightened phone and email validation.
- Fee: $40.27 since 30 May 2025.
- Social media: Identifiers from past 5 years.
- Mobile app: Native iOS/Android filing — see esta for us cruise passengers.
- Validation: Phone and email cross-checked.
The 90-day stay rule stays the same. For connections, see airport layover rules.
FAQ — the 2026 ESTA fee
How much is the 2026 ESTA fee?
It is $40.27 per applicant. That is the only authoritative price.
Is the fee refundable?
If denied, $23.27 operational portion refunded; $17 surcharge non-refundable.
How long does processing take?
Most decisions issued within minutes; CBP recommends allowing 72 hours.
Do children pay the same fee?
Yes — $40.27 per traveler regardless of age. See Memorial Day weekend guide.
What if denied?
Operational refund issued; pursue a B1/B2 visa.
How long is valid?
2 years or until passport expires.
Where official info?
Always start at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The CBP publishes the fee schedule. The DHS oversees the program.
Documents needed
Before you pay, gather your passport, contact details, U.S. address, employer information and travel history. The CBP form times out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
- Passport: Biometric e-passport with 6+ months validity.
- Contact info: Email and phone — cross-checked.
- U.S. point of contact: Hotel or host.
- Employer: Company name, address, phone.
- Travel history: Disqualifying-country visits since 2011.
Notably, lying is grounds for permanent denial under 8 USC §1182. Therefore, when in doubt, disclose. In addition, see USA.gov visitor information.
Related reading
- esta business travel usa
- esta for families children
- esta for uk citizens
- VWP countries
- esta for us cruise passengers
Last updated: 7 May 2026.
Practical scenarios for travellers visiting the United States 2026
ESTA for families travelling to the US: Every family member, including infants and children, requires their own separate ESTA authorisation. Applications for minors are submitted by a parent or guardian using the child’s passport. The fee is $40 per person, identical for adults and children. Processing time is not reduced for family groups — apply for all members simultaneously at least 14 days before flying into JFK, LAX, ORD, Miami or any other US port of entry. If a child needs a new passport, allow 4-8 weeks for issuance — US Customs and Border Protection is strict on passport validity, requiring at least 6 months beyond intended departure for most countries.
ESTA for business travellers: ESTA covers business visits under the Visa Waiver Program — meetings, conferences, negotiations, short training paid by a foreign employer, attending trade shows. It does NOT cover paid work for US employers, salaried positions, freelance contracts with US clients, or B2C sales activities. For these, a B-1/B-2 visa or work visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1) is required from a US Consulate. Frequent business travellers should note ESTA allows stays up to 90 days per visit, but US Customs officers can deny entry if travel patterns suggest de facto residency or unauthorised work.
Students with short US programmes: ESTA covers participation in non-credit, short-duration academic conferences and unpaid student exchange visits under 90 days. For credit-bearing study or programmes exceeding 90 days, an F-1 (academic) or M-1 (vocational) student visa is mandatory. The SEVIS I-901 fee ($350) and visa application ($185) are separate from any university charges. Useful documents on arrival: I-20 form (for F/M visas), acceptance letter, evidence of financial support, return ticket.
Comparison: ESTA vs other US travel authorisations 2026
| Authorisation | Purpose | Cost | Validity | Max stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESTA | VWP tourism + business | $40 | 2 years / multi-entry | 90 days per visit |
| B-1/B-2 Visa | Tourism + business (non-VWP) | $185 | Up to 10 years | 6 months typically |
| F-1 Student Visa | Academic study | $185 + $350 SEVIS | Duration of programme | Programme length |
| H-1B Work Visa | Specialty occupation | $460-$2.500 | Up to 6 years | Employment duration |
| TSA PreCheck | Expedited security (not entry) | $78-$85 | 5 years | N/A — security only |
ESTA is the fastest and cheapest option for eligible Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country citizens. Check VWP eligibility — 41 countries including most EU, UK, Japan, Australia, South Korea. If your country is not in VWP, you need a B-1/B-2 visa from a US Consulate. TSA PreCheck is a domestic US security program (faster airport security), unrelated to entry authorisation.
Common ESTA application mistakes
- Misspelling names: Type names exactly as they appear on the passport biographic page — including middle names if present. Even minor discrepancies (missing hyphen, transposed letter) trigger manual review.
- Outdated passport details: Use the current passport number — if you renew your passport between ESTA approval and travel, you must reapply.
- Wrong arrival address: If you don’t know your hotel yet, enter the first night’s booking. „TBD” or „Unknown” triggers refusal.
- Omitting prior visa refusals: Disclose any past US visa denials honestly. Omission triggers automatic refusal and permanent record flag.
- Incorrect criminal history: Even minor offences must be declared if they meet the „moral turpitude” threshold. Consult an immigration attorney if uncertain.
- Card declined for $40: Inform your bank about the international transaction in USD. Some cards reject small international charges as suspicious.
What if I miss my flight with approved ESTA?
ESTA remains valid for 2 years regardless of missed flights — it is not consumed on first use. Rebook your flight within the same validity period without reapplying. Situations that invalidate ESTA: passport expiry or replacement, change of name (marriage, legal change), change of gender designation, or criminal arrest/conviction since last application.
Can I cross to Canada or Mexico with ESTA?
ESTA covers entry to the United States only. Brief same-day excursions to Canada or Mexico are generally permitted under ESTA — the 90-day clock continues as if you never left. However, longer absences or onward travel to other countries may reset entry conditions. Always verify with US CBP and the destination country before crossing.
Can I work or earn freelance income from US clients with ESTA?
No. ESTA strictly prohibits paid work for US-based employers or clients. Remote work for non-US employers during a short ESTA visit is a gray area — generally tolerated for brief periods, but Customs officers can deny entry if they suspect unauthorised work. For sustained freelance work or US-based clients, an O-1 or H-1B work visa is required.
Final tips for international travellers visiting the US in 2026
Before departure: download the Mobile Passport Control app (free, used at JFK, LAX, ORD and 30+ airports — speeds up entry by 30-45 minutes), save emergency numbers (911 for police/fire/ambulance), note your country’s embassy address in Washington DC. Verify with your bank international transaction limits — many cards have daily caps insufficient for US hotels (often $300-$500/night in major cities) or car rentals. Activate SMS notifications. Keep digital copies of all documents — passport, ESTA approval, tickets, hotel reservations, return flight — in cloud storage. The US has strict tipping culture — budget 15-20% on restaurants, $2-5 per service. Sales tax (5-10%) is added at checkout, not included in displayed prices.
