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U.S. Travel Authorization and Visa Fee Hikes

  • Writer: Seoyeon Kim
    Seoyeon Kim
  • Sep 25
  • 2 min read

Sep 25, 2025

Seoyeon Kim



ESTA Fee Raised to $40


ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is required for travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who wish to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days for tourism or business. South Korea joined the VWP in 2008. ESTA was free at first, but in 2010, the Travel Promotion Act introduced a fee ($14) to cover processing costs and support U.S. tourism promotion. In 2022, the Department of Homeland Security increased the fee to $21.


Starting September 30, 2025, the ESTA fee will rise to $40. The new fee includes $17 for travel promotion (unchanged), about $10 for operational costs, about $13 directed to the U.S. Treasury’s general fund. The higher fee applies to all ESTA applications submitted on or after September 30, and also to applications submitted earlier but left unpaid by that date.


ESTA approvals remain valid for 2 years (or until the traveler’s passport expires) and allow multiple entries. ESTA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry, and final admission is decided by CBP officers at the port of entry. The higher cost could especially affect frequent travelers or families applying together. Applying before September 30 could save money for those with upcoming trips.


H-1B Visa Fee Raised to $100,000


On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation dramatically increasing the fee for new H-1B professional work visas. The fee rose from $1,000 to $100,000, a 100 fold increase. The rule took effect on September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. (Eastern Time).


The $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B petitions. Renewals, extensions, or already issued visas are not affected. The administration argued the increase would protect American workers by discouraging misuse of the H-1B program and prioritizing high-wage or highly skilled applicants.


U.S. companies, especially in the tech sector, expressed alarm, warning the hike will make it much harder to recruit foreign talent. Healthcare experts raised concerns that the higher cost could worsen the shortage of foreign doctors and nurses in the U.S. The White House later clarified that the increase will not apply retroactively to current visa holders, only to new applicants. Legal experts note that questions remain about how the rule will be applied to applicants outside the U.S. versus those already in the country seeking status changes.



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