ESTA fees and rules changed several times between 2025 and 2026, and further changes have been proposed. Here is what actually applies. Since 16 October 2026 the ESTA fee is $40.62, following the DHS inflation adjustment published in the Federal Register on 1 October 2026 (91 FR 62534). Separately, in December 2025 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposed expanding the information collected on ESTA applications, including mandatory social media identifiers and app-only submission. That proposal is not in force. This guide explains the fee history, what is in force today and what has only been proposed.
ESTA Fee Changes: From $21 to $40.62
The ESTA fee has risen in several steps, each published in the Federal Register:
- From 20 May 2022: $21 ($17 travel promotion fee + $4 operational fee), per the Federal Register notice of 20 May 2022
- From 30 September 2025: $40 under HR-1, per the Federal Register notice of 28 August 2025
- From 1 January 2026: $40.27 after the fiscal year 2026 inflation adjustment, per the Federal Register notice of 19 November 2025
- From 16 October 2026: $40.62 ($17 + $10.62 + $13) after the fiscal year 2027 adjustment, per the Federal Register notice of 1 October 2026
For families, the difference adds up. A family of four now pays $162.48 (4 × $40.62), compared with $84 under the $21 fee. If an application is denied, only the $10.62 cost-recovery portion is charged. For comparison, the UK ETA costs £20 and the EU’s upcoming ETIAS will cost €20.
The fee in force on the day you apply is the one you pay. Existing ESTA authorisations remain valid until they expire; you do not pay the difference.
Selfie and Biometric Requirements
The ESTA Mobile app asks applicants to upload a live photo (selfie) to confirm their identity. According to CBP’s December 2025 notice, the selfie-based photo requirement had already been approved by the Office of Management and Budget through an emergency clearance.
The same notice says CBP would add further biometrics to the ESTA application “when feasible”, listing:
- Face: Facial images
- Fingerprints: Fingerprint data
- Iris and DNA: Also listed in the notice, without an implementation date
These additional biometrics are part of the proposal, not current requirements. The public comment period ended on 9 February 2026.
Social Media Account Requirements
The social media question on the ESTA form has been optional since it was introduced in 2016, and it is still optional. CBP’s December 2025 proposal would make it mandatory, requiring “social media from the last 5 years”.
The U.S. Embassy in France has confirmed that the proposed social media requirement is not yet in effect, that any new requirements will be formally announced in the Federal Register before implementation, and that travellers should continue to follow the existing ESTA procedures.
Privacy advocates raised concerns during the public consultation. The proposal still has to go through further steps, which the embassy describes as a review of comments, a 30-day notice and review by the Office of Management and Budget.
If the proposal is implemented, applicants would be asked to:
- List the social media identifiers used in the past five years
- Provide usernames for each account
- Do so as a mandatory part of the form, rather than optionally as now
Mobile App and Website Applications
Today you can apply on the official ESTA website or through the official ESTA Mobile app. When CBP launched the app, it confirmed that the website continues to service applications. The December 2025 proposal states that CBP “intends to require applicants to submit ESTA applications solely via the ESTA Mobile application”, but this has not been implemented.
According to CBP, the app lets you:
- Scan an image of your passport
- Upload a live photo to confirm your identity
- Answer the eligibility questions and pay
- Receive notifications about your application status
- Edit your application or profile
Travellers without a smartphone can apply on the website.
What the ESTA Does Not Include
Some reports have described location tracking as part of ESTA. Neither the current ESTA application nor CBP’s December 2025 proposal includes tracking your location during a visit to the United States. The proposal does list IP addresses and metadata from photos submitted with the application among its proposed data fields.
The ESTA itself is a pre-travel authorisation. Your arrival and departure are recorded through the I-94 record, as for other visitors.
How CBP stores and shares ESTA data is set out in the DHS system of records notice for ESTA.
Data Retention Under the Published Rules
Under the ESTA system of records notice, an application generally becomes inactive two years after approval. Information is retained for one year after the authorisation expires and then archived for 12 years.
The notice also sets out the purposes for which ESTA data may be shared, including:
- Law enforcement, with federal, state, local, international or foreign agencies
- Intelligence and counter-terrorism purposes
- Public health purposes
- Sanctions enforcement by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
Records linked to law enforcement activity remain accessible for the life of that activity.
What Still Has to Happen Before the Proposal Applies
The December 2025 notice was a request for public comment, not a final rule. According to the U.S. Embassy in France, the remaining steps are:
- Review of comments: DHS and CBP review the public comments received by 9 February 2026
- 30-day notice: A further notice in the Federal Register with another opportunity to comment
- OMB review: Review by the Office of Management and Budget before any implementation
Any implementation date will be announced in the Federal Register. Until then, the existing ESTA application applies.
For the latest official position, check the Federal Register and the guidance published by the U.S. embassy in your country.
ESTA Today vs. the December 2025 Proposal: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Requirement | Before 30 Sep 2025 | In force today | December 2025 proposal (not in force) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $21 | $40.62 (since 16 Oct 2026) | No change proposed |
| Selfie/Photo | Not required | Live photo in the mobile app | Retained |
| Biometrics | None | Live photo only | Face, fingerprints, iris, DNA “when feasible” |
| Social Media Disclosure | Optional | Optional | Mandatory (5-year history) |
| Phone and Email History | Current contact details | Current contact details | Phone numbers (5 years), email addresses (10 years) |
| Application Method | Website and app | Website and app | App only |
| Validity Period | 2 years | 2 years | No change |
| Maximum Stay | 90 days | 90 days | No change |
How to Prepare for Your ESTA Application
If you plan to travel to the United States, a little preparation keeps the application quick:
Prepare for the Live Photo
If you apply through the app, find a well-lit place with a plain background and keep your face fully visible. Remove glasses if they cause reflections.
Decide on the Social Media Question
The social media question is optional on the current form. If you choose to answer it, answer truthfully about the accounts you use.
Have Your Details Ready
Before you start, gather:
- Your passport
- Your contact details and an emergency contact
- Your parents’ names
- Your employer details, if applicable
Choose Your Channel
Use the official website or the official ESTA Mobile app. Avoid unofficial sites that charge extra fees.
Plan Your Timeline
CBP recommends applying at least 72 hours before travel. Most applications are decided within minutes, but applying earlier gives you time to apply for a visa if your ESTA is refused.
Frequently Asked Questions About ESTA 2026 Changes
Will My Old ESTA Still Be Valid If I Applied Before September 2025?
Yes. An approved ESTA remains valid until it expires (generally two years from approval or when your passport expires, whichever is sooner). You pay the current fee only when you submit a new application.
Can I Refuse to Submit My Social Media Information?
Yes, on the current form. The social media question is optional. CBP has proposed making it mandatory, but that change is not in effect.
How Is My Social Media Data Protected?
Information provided on an ESTA application, including any social media identifiers, is handled under the published ESTA system of records notice, which sets out retention periods and the purposes for which data may be shared.
What Happens If My ESTA Application Is Denied?
Denial reasons are not usually disclosed in detail. There is no appeal, but you can apply for a visitor visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If you believe records held about you are wrong, you can contact the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program. A denied application costs $10.62.
Do I Have to Apply Through the App?
No. You can apply on the official website or in the app. App-only submission is part of the December 2025 proposal and is not in effect.
Do Children Need Their Own ESTA?
Yes. Every traveller, regardless of age, needs their own ESTA. Parents or guardians can complete the application on a child’s behalf.
How Long Will ESTA Processing Take in 2026?
Most applications are decided within minutes. CBP advises allowing up to 72 hours. Apply well in advance of travel.
Can I Use an Old Passport Photo Instead of a Selfie?
In the mobile app, you upload a live photo taken during the application rather than an existing passport photo.
What If I Don’t Have a Smartphone for the Mobile App?
You can apply on the official website esta.cbp.dhs.gov from a computer.
Will My ESTA Authorization Guarantee Entry to the United States?
No, ESTA is a pre-authorization that indicates you’ve passed security vetting. However, CBP officials at the border retain discretion to deny entry even with valid ESTA. Final admission decisions are made at the port of entry by CBP officers.
International Comparison: How ESTA Compares
Several countries now run similar electronic travel authorisations for visa-exempt visitors:
- ETIAS (Europe): €20 according to the European Commission; not yet operational
- ETA (UK): £20 according to GOV.UK
- ESTA (USA): $40.62 since 16 October 2026, website or app, valid for up to 2 years
The ESTA is the most expensive of the three, mainly because of the additional components introduced by HR-1 in 2025.
Privacy and Legal Considerations
The December 2025 proposal attracted public comments from privacy advocates and others during the consultation that closed on 9 February 2026. The proposal has not been finalised.
Practical points for privacy-conscious travellers:
- The social media question on the current ESTA form is optional
- Apply only through official government channels
- Read the published ESTA system of records notice to understand how data is used
- Consider a visa if you have specific concerns about your eligibility
Ultimately, ESTA remains optional, though practical for visa-exempt travelers. If you prefer, a traditional visa application remains an alternative, albeit with different requirements and costs.
What This Means for Your US Travel Plans
For most travellers, the practical change in 2026 is the higher fee. The wider data collection is a proposal that has not been implemented, and any change will be announced in the Federal Register before it applies.
Budget the $40.62 fee into your travel plans, apply through the official website or app, and allow time before travel. For most travellers, approval remains straightforward and quick.
External Resources and Official Information
- US Department of State Travel Website
- US Customs and Border Protection
- Department of Homeland Security
- Federal Register: FY2027 ESTA fee notice
Conclusion
In 2026 the ESTA fee rose to $40.27 on 1 January and to $40.62 on 16 October. The live photo in the mobile app is already part of the process, while mandatory social media disclosure, app-only submission and wider data collection remain proposals that are not in force.
For most travellers, the process remains quick and straightforward. Use an official channel, pay the current fee and apply well before you travel.
For current information about ESTA requirements, visit the official ESTA requirements guide or application guide. Additional resources on ESTA costs and ESTA for UK citizens are available for specific traveler groups.
