Since 16 October 2026 an approved ESTA costs $40.62, up from $40.27. The increase is the yearly inflation adjustment set out in the Federal Register; it applies to the part of the fee that covers running the system. If your application is refused, you pay $10.62.
Nothing else changed. An ESTA lasts two years, or until your passport expires, and covers stays of up to 90 days, whether for a holiday or business meetings. Every traveller needs their own, children included, and you need one even to change planes in the US.
Use the official site
Unofficial sites offer to file the ESTA for you. US officials warn that they charge extra fees and can't speed up the decision. The only official site is esta.cbp.dhs.gov, or the official ESTA app.
Social media questions: not yet
A proposal to make ESTA applicants list five years of social media accounts drew public comments early in 2026. It has not taken effect. If that changes, we'll update the checklist.
What to do
Apply as soon as you start planning. A new passport means a new ESTA, so check your status before each trip. Our checklist shows what your passport needs, from ESTA to the Mobile Passport Control app.