UK business and leisure travellers heading to the United States are being urged to take note of upcoming changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee structure.
Under current rules, UK nationals visiting the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must hold a valid ESTA before entering the country by land, sea or air. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has reiterated that travellers must secure authorisation before arriving at border checkpoints, and that passports should be valid for the full duration of their visit.
At present, an ESTA costs $21 USD and is typically valid for two years or until the passport expires—whichever comes first. However, a legislative update passed by the US Congress will see that fee nearly double, increasing to $40 USD in the coming months. The measure forms part of broader funding reforms within US travel and border agencies.
In response, travel specialists at Journeyscape have advised UK travellers to apply sooner rather than later if they have upcoming plans to visit the States. “While approvals often arrive within minutes, processing can take up to 72 hours, and there’s no guarantee of same-day authorisation,” a spokesperson said. “We recommend applying no more than 90 days before travel, and ideally at least one week in advance. Early application avoids last-minute stress—especially given the fee hike.”
The increased cost comes as more UK business travellers return to transatlantic routes following post-pandemic recovery. Airlines have seen rising demand for US-bound flights from Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh, particularly among sectors linked to finance, tech and entertainment.
Regular visitors to the US—especially those combining business and leisure—should note the two-year ESTA validity carefully when planning future trips, as early applications may expire prematurely if travel is delayed or rescheduled.
Travelling For Business will continue to monitor implementation timelines for the new ESTA pricing and any updates to border policies affecting corporate travel to the United States.