Going to America soon? You have three weeks to dodge Donald Trump’s Esta fee hike
Simon Calder on why travelling to America is about to get even more expensive
- The cost of an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) for British travellers visiting the US will almost double from 30 September 2025.
- The fee will increase from the current 21(£16)to21(£16)to40 (£30).
- A significant portion of the rise, $13, is designated for the US Treasury, as mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- Travellers can save $19 (£14) by applying for their ESTA before 29 September 2025, as the permit remains valid for two years.
- This impending increase represents a near-trebling of the ESTA fee in just over three years, following previous price adjustments since its 2008 launch.