ESTA INFORMATION
The ESTA application fee
From 16 October 2026, the official fee for an ESTA application is US$40.62 (up from the previous US$21). Below you will find the details of the cost and the accepted payment methods.
How the fee is made up
| Item | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ESTA application fee | US$40.62 | Structure from 16 October 2026 (US fiscal year 2027): travel promotion fee (US$17), processing fee (US$10.62) and a contribution to the Treasury General Fund (US$13). If the application is refused, only the US$10.62 processing fee is charged. |
| Total | US$40.62 | Total fee per application |
Note: The US$40.62 fee is charged per application at the time you apply. For authoritative information on payment and any refunds, see the official FAQ at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Source of the amounts: Federal Register 2026-20185 (published 1 October 2026).
Paying from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand or Singapore
The fee is charged in US dollars (US$40.62). The exact amount you pay in Australian dollars, euro, New Zealand dollars or Singapore dollars depends on the exchange rate your card issuer applies, and your bank may add a foreign transaction fee.
Accepted payment methods
- Visa credit/debit card
- Mastercard credit/debit card
- American Express credit/debit card
- Discover credit/debit card
- PayPal
Is ESTA free for anyone?
No. The US$40.62 fee applies to every applicant, whatever their age. There are no fee exemptions. Children and babies also need their own ESTA authorisation and pay the full fee.
Cost comparison: official website vs. third-party sites
| Where you apply | Cost |
|---|---|
| Official ESTA website (CBP) | US$40.62 |
| Third-party websites | US$70 — US$150+ |
Warning: Many third-party operators run websites that look like the official ESTA site and charge inflated fees for exactly the same application. Always apply directly on the official ESTA website or through the official ESTA Mobile app.