ESTA Fee Rises to $40.62 on 16 October: What UK Travellers Will Pay

The ESTA fee goes up by 35 cents on Friday 16 October 2026, from $40.27 to $40.62 for an approved application. The change comes from the Department of Homeland Security's annual inflation adjustment, published in the Federal Register on 1 October 2026. You can apply directly on the official ESTA website, with no agent needed.

What's Changing

• The total fee rises to $40.62. The notice states that "the inflation-adjusted FY 2027 ESTA fee will be $40.62 ($17 + $10.62 + $13) per travel authorization."
• Only one part of the fee has moved. The $10.27 cost recovery fee rises by $0.35 to $10.62. The $17 and $13 elements are unchanged.
• A refused application costs $10.62. The cost recovery fee is charged on every application, approved or not. If you're refused, that is all you pay: "In the event the ESTA application is denied, the FY 2027 fee is $10.62."

All fee figures in this article are verified October 2026 against the Federal Register notice.

When It Takes Effect

CBP "will begin assessing the FY 2027 amounts" for the ESTA fee on 16 October 2026. Until then, the current fee of $40.27 ($10.27 if refused) applies, as it has since 1 January 2026.

The notice doesn't say how applications already in progress on that date are treated. At 35 cents, the difference isn't worth rushing an application for. CBP recommends applying as soon as you start planning a trip, or before you buy flights.

How Much Is an ESTA From the UK?

From 16 October 2026, an ESTA costs $40.62 if approved and $10.62 if refused, paid by card or PayPal on the official site. An approved ESTA is typically valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and the fee is charged again on each new application, including after a passport renewal or a change of name.

Do You Need an Agent to Apply?

No. CBP allows a third party, such as a relative or travel agent, to submit an ESTA on a traveller's behalf, but you can do it yourself on esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Anything a website charges above the official fee is its own service charge, not a US government fee. Before you pay, check the web address. If the total is well over $40.62, you are probably on an agent's site rather than CBP's.

For touring parties budgeting per head, remember that ESTA is a business and tourism authorisation only. It doesn't cover performing or paid work on a US tour, so most band members and crew will need a visa instead. Our guide to US tour visas for UK bands explains the options.

What This Means for You

For most UK travellers this is a rounding error and no reason to change plans. Budget $40.62 per person from 16 October and apply on the official site. If your application is refused, our guide on what to do when an ESTA is refused covers your next steps, and our comparison of B visa vs ESTA helps if you're unsure which you need.

If a refusal means you now need a US visitor visa, our personal applications team can take it from there.