ESTA fees
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security approved an increase in the ESTA fee from $ 14 to $ 21 in May 2022. Travelers from the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program will have to pay this cost for the ESTA application.
How much does an ESTA cost?
The cost of $ 21 for an ESTA application consists of two parts:
- Processing fee
- Approval fee
Do I have to pay ESTA in US dollars?
Although this is a US authority, the fee does not necessarily have to be paid in US dollars but can also be paid in euros. The price depends on the current exchange rate.
If you submit your ESTA application via esta-application.com, you can pay all fees in Euros.
Why do I have to pay more at esta-application.com?
When you apply for ESTA on esta-application.com, you are not only on the safe side, but you also have many advantages! Our application form is easy to understand, so you won't have any problems completing it.
In addition, the USA experts of esta-application.com check every single application for accuracy and completeness before we submit it to the US authorities. If we notice an error, we will contact you immediately to prevent unnecessary denial.
Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail so that you do not have to check your ESTA status constantly.
For this service, we charge a fee starting from 49.90 € depending on the selected package, which, however, already includes the costs for the US authorities.
ESTA denied – Do I get my money back?
If you submit your ESTA application to the US authorities, the processing fee will be withheld in case of a denial.
However, if you choose to apply for your ESTA with esta-application.com and decide on our Premium or First Class service, we will refund the entire amount in the event of a rejection!
Are there any discounts for ESTA?
This fee must be paid and is not dependent on the financial situation of the applicant. There are also no discounts for group applications – every person must pay – or coupons to reduce the price.
Every person traveling to the USA must pay $ 21 for an ESTA – even children.
How do I pay for my ESTA?
The ESTA fee is to be paid when applying for the ESTA Visa online. Your travel authorization will only be processed after payment has been received. Payment on the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection can only be made by credit card or PayPal.
For travel agency bookings, the fee may also be paid using the travel agency's collective credit card. Payment may also be made by third parties, such as relatives or friends.
In the case of ESTA group applications, the payment process can be completed for all applicants together.
If you decide to submit your ESTA with ESTA-Application.com, you can choose between the following payment methods:
- Credit card
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Sofort
How much does it cost to update my ESTA?
Travelers who occasionally have to make changes to their existing ESTA – e.g. change of address in the USA – do not have to pay a fee to do so. Updating your ESTA is free of charge!
If you, however, need to change your personal details, you will be required to apply for a new ESTA. If your previous ESTA was authorized, you shouldn’t have any problems with applying for a new one.
If you get a new passport, then your old ESTA automatically expires and you will need to apply and pay for a new one.
If you apply for a new ESTA and your previous one is still valid, then simply ignore the message that you already have a valid ESTA. Simply confirm that you want to apply for a new ESTA. As soon as it is authorized, your old ESTA will be deleted.
To be on the safe side, please print your new ESTA and carry it with you when entering the USA.
How much does a correction of the ESTA cost?
If you have made a mistake or typo when filling out the ESTA application via esta-application.com, and you realize this just after you have received the approval from us, please contact us immediately!
For a service fee of 25 €, which already includes the fees for the US authorities, we will submit a new ESTA application for you and thereby delete the incorrect version.
Do I have to pay the costs for each entry?
The costs for the ESTA must be paid per application and not per entry! Once you have an approved ESTA, you may stay in the USA for a maximum of 90 days at a time. Also, re-entry from neighboring countries such as Canada or Mexico is not a problem during this period.
The ESTA validity is basically 2 years or until your passport expires - whichever comes first.
Exceptions exist for travelers from Brunei and Hungary. They are only issued an ESTA permit for a validity period of one year instead of two. In addition, Hungarian travelers must apply for a separate ESTA for each visit to the USA and present a Hungarian birth certificate during the application process.
Can I pay ESTA without a credit card?
Yes, you can pay your ESTA without a credit card. The official authorities offer PayPal in addition to credit card payment.
If you submit your ESTA application with esta-application.com, there are other payment options available.
Can I pay ESTA with PayPal?
In the beginning, the fees could only be paid by credit card to the US authorities. In the meantime, you can pay your ESTA application with PayPal.