Simon Calder on why travelling to America is about to get even more expensive

• The cost of an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) for British travellers visiting the US will almost double from 30 September 2025.
• The fee will increase from the current 21(£16)to21(£16)to40 (£30).
• A significant portion of the rise, $13, is designated for the US Treasury, as mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• Travellers can save $19 (£14) by applying for their ESTA before 29 September 2025, as the permit remains valid for two years.
• This impending increase represents a near-trebling of the ESTA fee in just over three years, following previous price adjustments since its 2008 launch.

IN FULL

Going to America soon? You have three weeks to dodge Donald Trump’s Esta fee hike