ESTA is the electronic travel authorisation that UK citizens (and other Visa Waiver Program nationals) need to enter the United States without a visa for tourism or business. It is requested only on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The current official fee is $40.62 and an approval is typically valid for two years, or until the passport expires if that comes first. US citizens do not apply for an ESTA.
This guide explains who needs an ESTA, how to apply step by step, what it really costs, when to apply and the cases where it is not enough (travel to Cuba, certain countries, work). The information was checked on 12 November 2026 on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pages and the Federal Register, and on the UK FCDO’s travel advice for the USA (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026).
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The essentials on ESTA
- One official site: esta.cbp.dhs.gov (U.S. Department of Homeland Security). Other sites are paid intermediaries; CBP says using one does not speed up approval.
- Price: $40.62 per application for fiscal year 2027 ($17 + $10.62 + $13), according to the Federal Register notice of 1 October 2026; if the application is denied, the fee is $10.62.
- Validity: typically two years, or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner; multiple trips possible.
- Stay: 90 days or less, for tourism or business (or transit); not for work or study.
- When to apply: at any time, preferably as soon as you start planning, or before buying plane tickets (CBP).
- Passport: an e-passport (with a chip) is required to use the Visa Waiver Program.
What is ESTA and who needs it?
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), according to CBP (FAQ last modified 24 January 2025). All eligible citizens or nationals of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure must receive an authorisation through ESTA before boarding a US-bound plane or vessel, or presenting themselves for admission at a US land border port of entry. The same goes for transit through the US. If you are not eligible for the VWP, an ESTA is not enough: our US visa page explains how to apply at the embassy.
UK citizens
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026, read on 26 October 2026) says that to enter or transit through the US you must have either an ESTA or a visa. You can apply on the official ESTA application website or with the ESTA mobile app. A valid ESTA or visa does not guarantee entry: authorities may refuse you entry, for example if they believe you plan to stay longer than permitted or if you provided inaccurate or incomplete information. Your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.
US citizens
ESTA is for citizens or nationals of VWP countries, so US citizens do not apply for it. The FCDO notes that US law requires US citizens (including British-US dual nationals) to enter and exit the US using a US passport. US citizens who also travel to Europe or Canada should see our guides to ETIAS and the Canada eTA.
Every traveller needs their own ESTA: CBP says accompanied and unaccompanied children, regardless of age, are required to obtain an independent ESTA approval. A relative or travel agent may submit the application on behalf of a traveller. An ESTA is linked to the passport used to apply: each traveller must have an approved ESTA for the passport they plan to use, and a new passport means a new application.
ESTA price: what does the application really cost?
Under the law known as HR-1, the ESTA fee is adjusted for inflation each fiscal year. The Federal Register notice of 1 October 2026 sets the FY 2027 ESTA fee at $40.62 per travel authorisation, the sum of $17, $10.62 and $13. If an application is denied, the fee is $10.62, because the cost-recovery part is charged on all applications. The previous fee (FY 2026) was $40.27, and the notice says it rises by $0.35. The amount you see on the official site when you apply is the one that counts.
Your bank may add foreign-currency payment fees. If you were charged far more than the official fee, you most likely went through an intermediary.
How to apply for an ESTA step by step
- Open the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov (or use the official ESTA mobile app, as GOV.UK notes).
- Get your e-passport ready, plus an email address and a payment card. The traveller must provide, in English, biographical data including name, birth date and passport information.
- Fill in the form and answer the VWP eligibility questions (communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, past visa revocation or deportation and others). Answer accurately.
- Pay the fee online.
- Note your application number: DHS recommends printing the ESTA response to record the application number and confirm your status. You do not need to bring a paper printout to the airport: DHS communicates your status to the carriers.
- Check the result: you are notified of your eligibility to travel under the VWP.
When to apply and how long does it take?
CBP says you can apply at any time, but preferably as soon as you begin to plan your trip, and its ESTA page recommends applying as soon as you start planning or before buying airline tickets. VWP travellers who have not received an ESTA approval may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at a US port of entry. If your ESTA is denied, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate, which takes time: GOV.UK says visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited, so plan as far ahead as possible.
After you apply: admission and family travel
An ESTA does not decide whether you are admissible: CBP officers make that determination on arrival. Have the address of your first accommodation and your return ticket to hand. The FCDO also says officials may ask to inspect your electronic devices, emails, text messages and social media activity, and that refusing can delay or deny your entry.
For children and young people, the FCDO says anyone aged 17 and under must have a valid visa or ESTA on arrival, be able to provide evidence about the purpose, location and length of their visit if asked, and have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarised, from one or both parents if travelling alone, with only one parent, or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian.
How long is an ESTA valid?
ESTA approvals are typically granted for a two-year period or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever is sooner, and ESTA provides the validity dates when the application is approved (CBP). During this period you can make several trips, each limited to 90 days. You need a new ESTA when: you are issued a new passport; you change your name; your country of citizenship changes; or the circumstances behind any of your previous yes/no answers have changed. The fee is charged for each new application. The FCDO adds that if your ESTA does not contain the selfie photograph now required by CBP, you may need to apply for a new ESTA, and that you should check your ESTA account before travelling.
When ESTA is not enough: cases that need a visa
| Situation | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stay of more than 90 days, or work or study | The VWP covers tourism or business stays of 90 days or less: a visa is needed for other purposes | CBP, VWP FAQ |
| Travel to or presence in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 | No ESTA possible: visa required | GOV.UK (FCDO) |
| Presence in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 2011 | Normally cannot apply for an ESTA | GOV.UK (FCDO) |
| Passport that is not an e-passport | Cannot use the VWP | CBP, VWP FAQ |
| Arrests, criminal record, previous refusal or deportation, or previous overstay under an ESTA | You may not be able to apply for an ESTA | GOV.UK (FCDO) |
| ESTA denied | Apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate | CBP FAQ |
The FCDO also warns that overstaying your permitted time in the US can lead to detention and future bans on re-entry, that an ESTA may not be sufficient for all types of business travel, particularly on behalf of a US company, and that travelling on an ESTA when ineligible can lead to detention and deportation.
Fake ESTA websites: how to avoid them
Beware of unofficial sites. CBP says third-party websites that provide information about ESTA or submit applications for travellers are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the US government, and that using a private service will not expedite approval. Check the address of the site before you enter your passport and bank card details. The official site is esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Any amount above the official fee, other than your bank’s charges, signals an intermediary.
Planning the rest of your trip
Once you have your ESTA, plan the itinerary: our guide to travelling in the United States covers the regions and budget, with dedicated pages on New York, California, Florida and Las Vegas. For a combined trip with Canada, see also our Canada eTA guide. Healthcare is very expensive in the United States: check your cover with our travel insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official price of the ESTA?
$40.62 per application for fiscal year 2027, according to the Federal Register notice of 1 October 2026 ($17 + $10.62 + $13). If the application is denied, the fee is $10.62. Check the amount shown on esta.cbp.dhs.gov when you apply.
How long is an ESTA valid?
Typically two years from approval, or until the passport expires if that comes first. It allows several stays of up to 90 days each.
How far in advance should you apply for an ESTA?
You can apply at any time. CBP recommends applying as soon as you start planning, or before buying your airline tickets.
Does a baby need an ESTA?
Yes. Accompanied and unaccompanied children, regardless of age, must obtain their own ESTA approval, and each traveller needs their own passport.
Can you get an ESTA after travelling to Cuba?
No. According to the UK FCDO, you cannot apply for an ESTA if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.
Do you need to print the ESTA?
No: DHS communicates your status to the carriers. DHS does recommend keeping the application number and a printout of the ESTA response to confirm your status.
Do US citizens need an ESTA?
No. ESTA is for citizens or nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries. US citizens must enter and exit the US with a US passport.
Our sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, FAQs about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA (last modified 24 January 2025) and ESTA page (last modified 10 July 2025), read on 12 November 2026.
- Federal Register, « Certain DHS Immigration-Related Fees Required by HR-1: Fiscal Year 2027 Adjustments for Inflation » (91 FR, 1 October 2026), read on 12 November 2026.
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for the USA, entry requirements (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026), read on 26 October 2026.
- Official ESTA application website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.