USA ESTA: fee, eligibility & how to apply in 2026
Last reviewed 12 July 2026 · Source: esta.cbp.dhs.govThe Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a pre-screening approval, not a visa. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries use it to travel to the United States for tourism or business without applying for a full visa. You apply online, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checks your details before you board. Approval does not guarantee entry — the final decision is made by an officer on arrival.
At a glance
- Document
- ESTA (travel authorization)
- Official fee
- US$21
- Maximum stay
- 90 days per entry
- Validity
- 2 years (or passport expiry)
- Entries
- Multiple
- Processing
- Minutes to 72 hours
- Passport
- Electronic (e-passport) required
- Apply at
- esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Who needs an ESTA
You need an ESTA if all of these apply:
- You are a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country.
- You are travelling for tourism, business, transit, or short medical visits.
- Your stay is 90 days or fewer.
- You arrive by air or sea on an approved carrier (a land crossing from Canada or Mexico does not require ESTA but has its own process).
Travellers who have visited certain countries (such as Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen) since specified dates, or who hold dual nationality with some of those countries, are generally ineligible and must apply for a visa instead.
ESTA fee
The official fee is set by CBP and paid on the portal. Only the small processing portion is charged if your application is denied.
| Component | Amount | When charged |
|---|---|---|
| Processing charge | US$4 | At application |
| Authorization charge | US$17 | Only if approved |
| Total | US$21 | Approved applications |
Fees are set in law and can be revised. Confirm the current amount on the official portal — and never pay a “service” markup elsewhere for the same authorization.
Requirements
- A valid electronic passport (with a chip) from a Visa Waiver Program country.
- A valid email address and a payment card.
- Your travel and contact details, and a US point-of-contact or address if known.
- Employment information and answers to the eligibility questions.
How to apply
- Go to the official portal at esta.cbp.dhs.gov (or the official CBP mobile app).
- Complete the application with details matching your passport exactly.
- Pay the US$21 fee and submit.
- Wait for the decision — often within minutes, but apply at least 72 hours before travel.
- Check your status and travel once it reads “Authorization Approved.”
Validity & important limits
An approved ESTA lasts two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and covers multiple trips of up to 90 days. You cannot extend a stay beyond 90 days or change status to work or study on ESTA. If you get a new passport or change your name, gender or country of citizenship, you need a new ESTA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an ESTA cost?
US$21 — a US$4 processing charge plus a US$17 authorization charge, the latter only taken if approved. Pay it only on the official CBP portal.
Is an ESTA a visa?
No. It is a travel authorization that lets Visa Waiver Program travellers board without a visa. If you are not eligible, you need a US visa.
How early should I apply?
CBP recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure. Most approvals are much faster, but leave a buffer in case of a “pending” result.
Does approval guarantee entry?
No. It authorises you to travel to a port of entry; a CBP officer makes the final admission decision on arrival.
What if I’m denied an ESTA?
You can apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate instead.
← Back to all destinations · Related: visa-free travel, Canada eTA, UK ETA, how eVisas work.