ESTA Fee Rises To $40.27: What It Means For Visa Waiver Visitors To Las Vegas

What changed

The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application fee has risen sharply over the past year — from $21 to $40, then to $40.27 following a routine cost-of-living adjustment that took effect on January 1, 2026. The increase traces back to federal legislation that mandated the base fee rise, and it applies to every applicant individually, with no family or group discount.

Who this affects

This applies to travelers from the 42 countries currently in the Visa Waiver Program, which lets citizens of those countries visit the US for tourism or short business trips of up to 90 days without a traditional visa, provided they get ESTA approval first. The country list includes the UK, most of the EU, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, among others — Canada is not part of the VWP but Canadian citizens have their own separate visa-free entry arrangement.

Tighter screening and enforcement

Beyond the fee, 2026 has brought stricter enforcement of existing rules — reports of approved ESTAs being revoked shortly before travel, particularly where a security or database check flags a concern, have made headlines. Authorities have described this as normal enforcement of existing law rather than a new policy, but it's a reminder that ESTA approval isn't a guarantee of entry, and travelers should apply as early as possible rather than right before a flight.

What Vegas-bound travelers should actually do

If you're planning a Las Vegas trip and need ESTA, apply well ahead of your travel dates directly through the official government channel rather than a third-party site that charges extra — an approved ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips. Because fee amounts and country eligibility can change, always confirm the current details on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection ESTA site before you book, rather than relying on any article, including this one, for the exact current number.