No. CBP charges a $4.00 processing fee. If the application is approved, it charges another $36.27, for a total of USD $40.27. A refused application is charged only $4.00.

What is the official ESTA website?

The official application website is esta.cbp.dhs.gov, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

No. ESTA is a travel authorization for eligible Visa Waiver Program travelers. It does not replace a visa when a visa is required, and approval does not guarantee admission.

How long is ESTA valid?

It is generally valid for 2 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. ESTA approvals for Brunei passport holders are limited to 1 year.

Is ESTA Free? Official Website and USD $40.27 Fee (2026)

Q: When should I apply for ESTA?

Apply as soon as you start planning the trip and no later than 72 hours before departure.

Verified

Official URL

esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Last verified July 14, 2026. · Archived snapshot

Quick answer

ESTA is not free. If CBP approves the application, the official total is USD $40.27.

CBP charges $4.00 to process the application.
After approval, CBP charges the $36.27 authorization fee.
If CBP refuses the application, you pay only the $4.00 processing fee.

The total changed from $21.00 to $40.27 on September 30, 2025. A page still claiming that the current official fee is $21 is out of date.

What ESTA is

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It lets eligible citizens or nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries request permission to travel to the United States without first obtaining a visitor visa.

ESTA is not a visa. If your passport or trip does not meet every VWP condition, you may need a visa instead. An approved ESTA also does not guarantee entry. A U.S. border officer makes the admission decision.

Check the current VWP country list and conditions on the U.S. Department of State website.

Verified

Official URL

travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html

Run by U.S. Department of State. Last verified July 14, 2026.

Who needs ESTA

Eligible VWP travelers need an approved ESTA when arriving by air, sea, or land. The land requirement is easy to miss because older guides describe ESTA as an air-and-sea rule.

Use the same eligible e-passport for the application and the trip. A new passport requires a new ESTA.

When to apply

Apply when you start planning the trip and no later than 72 hours before departure. Do not wait until airline check-in. A pending application can take up to 72 hours to resolve, and a middleman cannot make CBP approve it faster.

How long approval lasts

An approval is generally valid for 2 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever happens first. ESTA for Brunei passport holders is limited to 1 year.

One valid authorization can cover multiple eligible trips. Each trip still has to meet VWP rules, including the permitted purpose and stay limit.

Why Google prices look higher

Commercial application sites sell form-filling help. Public prices observed on July 13, 2026 ranged from USD $109.99 to $140 per applicant, compared with the official approved total of USD $40.27.

Some middlemen submit a real application and keep the difference as a service fee. That does not make them the official site. It also does not improve your chance of approval.

Before entering passport or card details, check the address bar. The official host is esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

What to save after applying

Save the application number and check the status on the official site. CBP may show Authorization Approved, Travel Not Authorized, or Authorization Pending. Keep access to the email address used in the application. Do not let a paid service keep the application number or status account from you.