Esta Visa Fee to USA Nearly Doubles

Traveling to the USA is becoming more expensive. The fee for the mandatory Esta permit is nearly doubling, reports Travel Weekly.

The increase is part of Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill' that was approved by the US Congress last week. This means that those needing an Esta will now have to pay $40, almost 400 SEK, compared to the current cost of $21, approximately 220 SEK.

An Esta is an electronic travel authorization required for tourism in the USA. It is valid for two years from issuance, allowing a stay of up to three months.

Travel Industry Criticism

Geoff Freeman, CEO of the US Travel Association, criticizes the increase, calling it a 'self-imposed tariff'.

• Raising fees for international tourists who are here legally is akin to imposing a tariff on one of our country's largest exports, international travel expenses, he tells Travel Weekly.

At the same time, there are significant cuts to the country's official tourism organization, Brand USA. Previously receiving $100 million annually, approximately 958 million SEK, the funding is now reduced to $20 million, equivalent to nearly 192 million SEK.