Once upon a time, Brits could get a visa waiver to travel to the US for free (can you imagine!). But a price of $14 (£10) was put on the ESTA in 2010 and its cost was put up again in 2022. Now it’s set to get even more expensive.
Mr Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, passed back in July, introduced several new policies that’ll affect Brits planning to go to America from the end of this month. Notably, there’s the new visa integrity fee of $250 (£184, you can read more about that here) and a whopping 86 percent rise in the cost of ESTAs – the document we need if we want to cross the border.
If you time it right, you may still be able to visit the US in the next two years for the existing lower price. Here’s all the information on the increased cost of travelling across the pond .
What is an ESTA?
The US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is pretty much what it says on the tin. It’s a digital document that allows travellers from visa waiver programme countries to be in the US for up to 90 days without a visa. Once you purchase an ESTA, it’s valid for two years.
How much is it going up by?
Right now, the ESTA costs £16 ($21), but soon it’ll nearly double to £30 ($40).
The existing travel promotion fee of $17 (£12.50) is staying the same but the processing charge is being increased to $6 (£4.40). The rest of the price hike is from the newly introduced Treasure General Fund fee of $13 (£9.60).
When will the new price come into effect?
If you’re going to America soon, you’ve got three weeks to avoid the ESTA price hike. The increased fee will come into effect on September 30. If you purchase your ESTA before September 29, you’ll still be able to get it for £16.
ICYMI: The new Brits ‘visa’ for Europe has tripled in price – here’s when it will come into effect.
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