The Cost of ESTA for the USA Is $21, Don’t Pay Brokers More

by Petr Novák, ? This article’s information was last verified on this date. If you notice any errors, let us know in the comments. Thank you! :-) Updated 03/06/2025 ESTA, Tips & Tricks

Some intermediaries try to profit from the ESTA travel registration to the USA by charging up to one hundred dollars to forward the completed form on behalf of the applicant. How can you recognize these intermediaries? Where can you fill out the ESTA form on the official website, and what should you do if you have paid these entrepreneurs? You can find all the answers in this article.

1. Table of Contents

   1. Where to Fill Out the ESTA Form for the USA?
   2. Where Not to Fill Out the ESTA Form for the USA?
   3. Is a Higher ESTA Fee a Scam?
   4. What to Do If You Paid for ESTA on an Unofficial Website?

   Where to Fill Out the ESTA Form for the USA?

   Fill out your ESTA travel registration exclusively at the website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. This is the only official U.S. government website for the ESTA system, and the page is available in multiple languages. If you need help, you can read the guide on how to fill out the ESTA form.

   The fee for an approved ESTA registration in 2025 is a total of $21.00. This consists of a processing fee of $4.00, which is always paid. The fee of $17.00 for supporting U.S. tourism is only paid if the ESTA is authorized.

   If you paid more than $21.00 for your ESTA, it is a mistake. You did not fill it out on the official website, but through an intermediary.

2. Where Not to Fill Out the ESTA Form for the USA?

   I strongly recommend avoiding the following intermediaries who charge more than the official website for filling out the ESTA form. The operators of the following websites are not the U.S. government:

   esta-forms.com

   estausa.com

   estavisa-org.com

   usa-esta.net

   usa-esta.us.com

   If you encounter any other unofficial website offering ESTA registration services, you can mention it in the comments below the article.

3. Is a Higher ESTA Fee a Scam?

   If you filled out the ESTA form elsewhere, it is not usually a scam. The intermediary sends your ESTA registration for review, and if it is approved, you can travel to the USA. The intermediary should not have any influence on whether it is approved or not.

   You simply paid more than was necessary.

   Intermediaries profit from a simple principle. Through search engine optimization and paid advertisements, they rank high in search engines. Unaware visitors end up paying significantly more, and these companies profit from it.

   In a similar way, another company may help you with obtaining a visa to China or sell you tickets for the Trans-Siberian Railway.

4. What to Do If You Paid for ESTA on an Unofficial Website?

   Reader Lukáš has shared a proven tip for cases where payment has already been made on an unofficial ESTA website.

   Immediately send an email with a fabricated story, stating that you had an accident and need to postpone your trip to the USA. Request a refund and fill out the ESTA form again on the official website.