How much does the ESTA USA cost?

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization that allows citizens of certain countries, including the UK, to travel to the USA without a visa for a stay of less than 90 days. The price of this authorisation is an important consideration when planning your trip to the USA. On this page, we will explain in detail the cost of the ESTA, how to pay and any additional fees.

ESTA USA price: in brief

• Single price: The price of the ESTA is the same for all applicants, adults and children, and amounts to 21 US dollars.
• Cost in euros: The approximate price in euros is 19 euros, depending on today's exchange rate.
• No discount for groups: The price remains unchanged for a group ESTA application.
• Children: A child needs his/her own ESTA authorisation, at the same price as an adult.
• Service fee: An application service fee may be added to the final price of the ESTA.

How much does ESTA cost?

The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a mandatory document for travellers wishing to visit the United States without a visa for a stay of less than 90 days. But how much does the ESTA cost to travel to the USA?

The basic fee for the ESTA is $21 per person for the US government, payable online by credit card. This fee is set by the US government and is the same for all travellers, regardless of age or nationality. Payment must be made at the time of application for the ESTA, which must be made at least 72 hours before departure for the United States.

In general, there are no additional costs for obtaining the ESTA. However, some ESTA application sites may charge a higher processing or service fee including assistance and data verification.

Payment for the ESTA can only be made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover). Now that you know how much the ESTA costs to travel to the USA, all you have to do is apply online on the official website or that of a service provider and prepare for your trip with complete peace of mind.

How much does a group ESTA cost?

There are no reduced or group rates for ESTA applications. The basic fee is fixed and applies to each individual applicant. However, some online service providers may offer discounts or promotional offers for submitting group applications, but these offers are not guaranteed and may vary from website to website.

It is important to note that each application must be submitted individually and that each traveller must obtain a separate ESTA travel authorisation. The information provided in each ESTA application is also unique to each applicant. Consequently, group applications are not accepted by the US authorities for ESTA purposes.

It is advisable to be careful of websites offering group rates or substantial discounts on ESTA fees, as some of them may be fraudulent and offer poor quality services. It is preferable to choose a reliable and trustworthy site to submit your ESTA application.

How much does an ESTA for a child cost?

The price of an ESTA for a child is the same as for an adult, i.e. 21 US dollars, which corresponds to approximately 19 euros plus service charges.

It is important to note that :

• Each child must have their own ESTA authorisation, even infants.
• There is no price reduction for group applications.

How can I save on the ESTA fee?

If you want to save money on the ESTA fee, here are some tips to know:

• Using the official website or a service provider to apply for ESTA: There are several third-party websites that offer to help you fill in your ESTA application and check the consistency of the data filled in for an additional service fee. If you don't think you need this service, you can go directly to the official site, which will save you a lot of money.
• Check for additional charges before paying: Some third-party sites charge additional fees for services that are not mandatory, such as sending SMS notifications. It is important to check these extra charges before paying, so that you do not pay more than necessary.

How to apply for ESTA online and pay the processing fee?

Here are the general steps to apply for an ESTA online at any site:

• Access the ESTA online application website.
• Fill in the application form with all the required information, including your travel details and personal information.
• Check that all the information provided is correct before submitting the application.
• Pay the required ESTA fee using an accepted method of payment.
• Receive your ESTA confirmation by e-mail as soon as possible.

It is important to note that each site may have slightly different instructions and application processes. It is therefore advisable to follow the instructions provided on the website you are using to apply for your ESTA.

What is the purpose of the ESTA fee?

The ESTA fee, which includes the basic fee as well as any additional fees, is used to finance the processing of the travel authorisation application and the infrastructure associated with the US Visa Waiver Programme.

These fees also cover the costs of maintaining and updating the ESTA electronic system. In addition, ESTA fees are used to fund security and anti-terrorism programmes set up by the US authorities. Additional fees, such as emergency processing fees or online assistance fees, are charged according to the services requested by travellers.

It is important to note that the ESTA fee does not guarantee travel authorisation and is not refundable if the ESTA application is refused. It is therefore essential to carefully fill in all the information requested in the ESTA application and to check the fees carefully before finalising the application.

How can I pay for my ESTA?

To pay for the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for the United States, applicants can use the following methods of payment:

• Credit card: The main credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
• Debit card: Some debit cards, especially those bearing the logos of major credit card networks (such as Visa or MasterCard), can also be used.
• PayPal: The PayPal online payment system is an option available for paying ESTA fees.

These payment options are available when submitting the online application on the official US government ESTA website. It is essential to ensure that the payment details provided are correct and that the account or card has sufficient funds to cover the fee.

Further advice:

• Check for additional charges: Some banks may apply international transaction fees for payments made in foreign currency.
• Ensure security: Only use the official ESTA website to submit your application and make payment in order to protect your personal and financial information.

By following these recommendations, you will be able to pay ESTA fees securely and efficiently. Remember that it is essential to pay the processing fee online for your ESTA application to be properly transmitted to the US authorities. 

As long as the fee has not been collected, no file will be processed and your application cannot be registered.

Conclusion: Why plan for the cost of your ESTA before a trip to the USA?

The ESTA application is mandatory for travellers to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The cost of the ESTA varies depending on several factors, including the processing fee and the application fee. It is important to check for additional costs before paying.

To save on the cost of the ESTA, it is advisable to apply in advance, use the official website or a reasonable service provider's website to apply and check for additional fees before paying. In conclusion, it is recommended that travellers include the cost of ESTA in their US travel budget and follow these tips to save on the cost of their application.