ESTA Fees 2025: Complete Cost Breakdown & Payment Guide
Official ESTA application fees, payment methods, what you are paying for, and how to avoid third-party scams. Complete cost breakdown and refund policy for 2025.
ESTA Fee Overview
Understanding the official ESTA fee structure is important to avoid overpaying through third-party websites. This comprehensive guide covers the current ESTA fees, payment methods, what the fees cover, and how to ensure you pay the correct amount.
Official ESTA Fee
The official ESTA fee is $40 USD as of September 30, 2024. This is the ONLY fee charged by the U.S. government. Any website charging more is a third-party service adding extra charges.
Current ESTA Fees Breakdown
As of September 30, 2024, the official ESTA fee is $40 USD, which consists of two components:
- ✓$5 Processing Fee: Charged to all applicants regardless of approval status. This fee covers the cost of processing your application.
- ✓$40 Authorization Fee: Only charged if your ESTA is approved. This fee funds travel promotion and tourism programs.
Fee Increase
The ESTA fee increased from $14 to $40 on September 30, 2024. This represents a 50% increase and is the current official fee charged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Accepted Payment Methods
The official ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) accepts the following payment methods:
- ✓Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- ✓Debit Cards: Visa or Mastercard debit cards
- ✓PayPal: PayPal account payments accepted
Important
All payments must be made in U.S. dollars (USD). Currency conversion fees may apply depending on your bank or credit card provider.
Payment is required at the time of application submission. You cannot submit your ESTA application without paying the fee.
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Start Your Application →What ESTA Fees Cover
The $40 ESTA fee covers the following services:
$5 Processing Fee covers:
- ✓Automated background checks against security and law enforcement databases
- ✓System maintenance and operation costs
- ✓Application processing infrastructure
- ✓Customer support and help desk services
$40 Authorization Fee (if approved) funds:
- ✓Travel Promotion Act programs
- ✓U.S. tourism marketing initiatives
- ✓International visitor program development
- ✓Brand USA campaigns promoting U.S. tourism
One-Time Fee
The $40 fee covers your ESTA for its entire validity period (2 years or until passport expiration). There are NO annual renewal fees or hidden charges.
Refund Policy
Understanding when you can and cannot get a refund:
If your ESTA is DENIED (Travel Not Authorized):
- ✓The $5 processing fee is NON-REFUNDABLE
- ✓You will NOT be charged the $40 authorization fee
- ✓Total charge if denied: $5
If your ESTA is APPROVED (Authorization Approved):
- ✓You will be charged the full $40 fee
- ✓The fee is NON-REFUNDABLE even if you do not travel
- ✓The fee is valid for 2 years or until passport expiration
No Refunds
ESTA fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including: change of travel plans, application errors, duplicate applications, or if you decide not to travel to the U.S.
Avoiding Third-Party Scams
Many websites charge inflated fees by posing as official ESTA sites. Here is how to avoid overpaying:
Third-Party Website Warning
Numerous third-party websites charge $5 0-$150 for ESTA applications. These sites are NOT affiliated with the U.S. government. They simply fill out the official application on your behalf and charge a premium service fee.
How to identify the official ESTA website:
- ✓The ONLY official website is: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- ✓The official site ends in .gov (U.S. government website)
- ✓The official fee is ALWAYS $40, no exceptions
- ✓Look for "Official U.S. Department of Homeland Security" branding
- ✓The URL will show a padlock icon (HTTPS secure connection)
Save Money
By applying directly through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, you will pay only $40. Third-party websites can charge up to $150 for the same application - a markup of over 600%.
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Start Your Application →ESTA Fee vs Visa Fee Comparison
Comparing ESTA fees to traditional U.S. visa fees:
ESTA: $40 $40 fee, valid for 2 years, unlimited entries, 90-day stays, online application only, approved in hours.
B-2 Tourist Visa: $185 MRV fee, valid up to 10 years, unlimited entries, up to 6-month stays, requires embassy interview, processing takes weeks.
Important
ESTA is significantly cheaper ($40 vs $185) and faster than a traditional tourist visa. If you are eligible for ESTA, it is the most cost-effective option for U.S. travel.
Payment Security
The official ESTA website uses industry-standard security measures to protect your payment information:
- ✓256-bit SSL encryption for all transactions
- ✓PCI DSS compliant payment processing
- ✓No credit card information stored on ESTA servers
- ✓Secure government payment gateway
- ✓Transaction confirmation numbers for tracking
Important
Your payment information is safe when using the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov website. Never provide payment information to unofficial third-party sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Is the ESTA fee refundable if denied?
Q:Can I get a refund if I do not travel to the U.S.?
Q:Why did the ESTA fee increase from $14 to $40?
Q:Do I have to pay the ESTA fee for children?
Q:What if I made a mistake on my application? Do I have to pay again?
Q:Can I pay the ESTA fee with cash?
Q:Why are some websites charging $5 0 or more for ESTA?
Q:Does the $40 ESTA fee cover my entire family?
Q:Can I use a foreign credit card to pay the ESTA fee?
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