U.S. authorities have confirmed that Electronic System for Travel Authorization fee will increase from $21 to $40 on Sept. 30.
Visitors from visa waiver countries, such as the U.K. and most EU members, have to do an ESTA application for entry to the United States. The authorization is valid for two years unless the traveler's passport expires within this time.
The U.S. previously raised the fee for an ESTA application from $14 to $21 in May 2022.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: "The price of an ESTA nearly doubling under the Trump administration is a blow to British travelers and is likely to impact U.S. visitor numbers over the coming months. However, if travelers are planning a trip to the U.S. in the next two years, they can avoid this fee increase by securing their ESTA before Sept. 29."
The rise in the ESTA fee comes after the U.K. increased the charge for its own electronic travel authorization from 10 to 16 British pounds (about $22) in April.
Meanwhile, the EU has raised the planned application fee for its forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System from 7 to 20 euros, even though it is not due to be introduced until late 2026.
ETIAS will be preceded by the phased launch of the EU's biometric Entry-Exit System, which is finally due to be introduced on Oct. 12.
Lo Bue-Said predicted that the launch of EES, which will require non-EU travelers to provide a digital facial image and fingerprints at the border, could lead to longer queues for U.K. passport holders visiting EU countries.
"In a few weeks you will start to see them taking biometrics, although passports will still be stamped," she added. "There are likely to be more queues for Brits traveling to the EU.
"Spain is one of the countries that is 100 percent ready and geared up to take biometrics. Over time, it will get easier as more countries make sure they are EES-ready. It's a confusing time for travelers. We're providing members with a toolkit of different assets so they can communicate with the customer about what it means for them."
Source: Business Travel News