Official ESTA fee payment 2026 CBP: accepted cards, currencies and security — this guide covers the cards CBP accepts, the currency rules and checkout security for Visa Waiver Program travelers. Every figure here matches U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules and the official ESTA portal. Payment is mandatory before any application is reviewed. So the card and currency you pick genuinely matter.
TL;DR — paying the ESTA fee in 2026: Pay $40.27 (CBP fee schedule, 30 May 2025) on the official CBP portal via Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover or PayPal. One currency only: US dollars.
Accepted payment methods for the 2026 ESTA fee
CBP accepts four major payment cards — Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover — plus PayPal. Every charge is processed in U.S. dollars; no other currency goes through directly.
- Visa: Credit and debit accepted.
- MasterCard: Credit and debit accepted.
- American Express: Credit only.
- Discover: Credit and debit accepted.
- PayPal: Linked to bank or card.
Indeed, prepaid cards from major networks usually work. Therefore, gift cards or store cards typically do not work. However, the U.S. State Department guidance is the authoritative source.
Fee structure: what the $40.27 covers
The total ESTA fee is $40.27 per applicant, charged in U.S. dollars. Non-USD cards may add a 1–3% conversion fee — that comes from your issuing bank, not from CBP.
| Item | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Promotion Act surcharge | $17.00 | Brand USA marketing fund |
| Operational processing | $23.27 | CBP application review |
| Total ESTA | $40.27 | Per applicant |
| Foreign card conversion (estimate) | $0.40–$1.21 | Charged by issuing bank |
The full breakdown sits in the CBP fee schedule. Our esta cost page tracks every change.
Security features at CBP checkout
Checkout security includes 256-bit TLS encryption, PCI DSS Level 1 compliance and a 3DS challenge for foreign cards. CBP never keeps full card numbers after a successful charge.
- TLS 1.3 encryption: All form data encrypted in transit.
- PCI DSS Level 1: The CBP processor meets the highest card-industry standard.
- 3DS challenge: Foreign-issued cards may trigger SMS or app verification.
- No card storage: CBP only stores last-4 + payment confirmation.
- Fraud filters: Some VPN exit nodes trigger declined transactions.
However, the only valid URL is esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Therefore, never enter card details on a third-party reseller site. Consequently, see fraud prevention guide.
Who has to pay the ESTA fee
Every applicant — including infants and children — needs the $40.27 fee paid. Each one must also hold a passport from one of the 42 VWP countries.
- Per-applicant billing: Family of four pays $161.08.
- Group payment: One payer can pay for up to 50.
- Country list: See esta for uk citizens.
However, ineligibility is not always permanent. Therefore, denied applicants may pursue a B1/B2 visa.
Refund policy if your ESTA is denied
Refunds are partial. If you are denied, CBP returns the $23.27 operational fee; the $17 surcharge stays non-refundable. Approved applications get nothing back, whatever happens to your trip.
Indeed, refunds are credited to the original payment method within 7–14 business days per CBP guidance. Therefore, denied applicants who later use a B1/B2 visa pay the $185 visa fee separately. Consequently, only one ESTA fee should be paid per application.
Common payment pitfalls to avoid
Most payment problems trace back to foreign-card declines, missing 3DS verification, VPN-triggered fraud filters, and card details typed into reseller sites. A shaky connection can also cause double-charges.
- Foreign card declines: Notify your bank before applying.
- 3DS timeout: Keep phone nearby for SMS code.
- VPN issues: Disable VPN before paying.
- Reseller sites: Never enter card on non-CBP domain.
- Double-charge: Wait 10 minutes before retrying.
However, errors can be fixed by waiting and retrying. Notably, only address, email, phone and flight data may be edited post-submission. Consequently, payment errors require contacting your card issuer — see esta denied what to do.
What changed in 2026 for ESTA payments
Three changes shape ESTA payments in 2026: the $40.27 fee took full effect, PayPal joined the accepted options, and the new ESTA mobile app supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. CBP also tightened its fraud filters.
- Fee: $40.27 since 30 May 2025.
- PayPal: Added as an option in 2025.
- Mobile app: Apple Pay and Google Pay supported via the iOS/Android ESTA app.
- Fraud filters: Enhanced detection.
The 90-day stay rule, though, is unchanged. Our fee changes guide watches every announcement.
FAQ — ESTA payment questions
Which cards are accepted?
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and PayPal, all accepted on the official CBP site.
Can I pay in EUR/GBP?
No — payment is in USD only; your bank handles conversion.
Are prepaid cards accepted?
Major-network prepaid cards usually work; gift cards do not.
What if my card is declined?
Disable VPN, retry after 10 minutes; contact issuer if persists.
Is the payment refundable if denied?
Operational $23.27 refunded; $17 surcharge not.
Where official info?
Always start at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The CBP publishes the fee schedule. The DHS oversees the program.
Documents to gather
Before you pay the ESTA fee, gather your passport, payment card, 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.
- Payment card: Visa/MC/Amex/Discover or PayPal account.
- 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
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.