The Cost of ESTA for the USA Is $40, Don’t Pay Brokers More

Petr Novák
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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.

The Cost of ESTA for the USA Is $40, Don’t Pay Brokers More | © Petr Novák

  1. 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.

    Effective September 30, 2025, the total fee for an approved ESTA travel authorization is $40. The total amount consists of three parts: a $13 contribution to the U.S. Treasury General Fund, a $10 contribution for operating the ESTA system, and a $17 contribution designated for U.S. travel promotion. The fee increase occurred after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (PL 119-21), proposed by President Donald Trump, took effect.

    Through September 29, 2025, the total fee for an approved ESTA travel authorization was $21.

    If you paid more than $40 for an ESTA travel authorization after September 30, 2025, that is an error. You did not complete it on the official website, but through a third-party 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • ESTA

    1. Complete Guide to ESTA for USA – Conditions, Cost, and FAQ
    2. Step-By-Step Guide – How to Fill out the ESTA Form
    3. Step-by-Step Guide: Checking Your ESTA Status Online
    4. The Cost of ESTA for the USA Is $40, Don’t Pay Brokers More
    5. How Long Is ESTA Approved for (2 Years, If Conditions Are Met)
    6. How to Complete Payment for Your ESTA Application
    7. Got a 90+ Day USA Ticket? How to Avoid ESTA Overstay
    8. How to Ensure Successful ESTA Travel After USA Visa Denial
    9. Need an ESTA for a US Airport Transit? Find Out Here!

    Discussion (1)

    A
    Anh12/01/2023 v 7:00 AM

    this website is also overcharged:

    Odpovědět

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