USA more expensive than ever: ESTA fee increases to almost $ 40!

USA more expensive than ever: ESTA fee increases to almost $ 40!

In July 2025, US President Donald Trump passed the controversial "Big Beautiful Bill" legislative package and thus set the course for a massive increase in costs for international tourists. This applies in particular to the electronic entry permit, the so -called ESTA, the fee of which is increased from $ 21 to $ 40 - an increase of almost 100 percent. This information reports Merkur .

This decision is in the context of a reduction in annual funds for the tourism funding from Brand USA, which is reduced from $ 100 million to just $ 20 million. Of course, such measures do not come without consequences: The US Travel Association has already expressed its concerns and has already titled these new fees as "crazy new fees" that could endanger the international visit to the United States. In view of the upcoming major events, such as the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these increases should be sensitive to tourism.

cuts and their consequences

Some central points of the "Big Beautiful Bill" are viewed particularly critically. Experts fear that the drastic cuts could affect Brand USA's ability to start internationally competing campaigns. In addition to increasing the ESTA fee, the national parks are also expected for foreign visitors with higher admission prices. According to Travel pulses This could be particularly problematic in February 2025 in February 2025.

The effects are already noticeable: The World Course and Tourism Association (WTTC) estimates a potential loss of $ 12.5 billion in tourism sales for the United States this year, which could further tighten the condition of the industry. However, the total value of US tourism has achieved remarkable services in 2025 and achieved over $ 3 trillion. This shows how strongly domestic demand and international travel behavior have grown, like a report by Travel and Tour World note.

A look into the future

BOOTENING US Tourism is heated in particular by the increasing international arrivals and the return of leisure and business trips. The importance of environmentally conscious travel is becoming increasingly clear, which makes it inevitable for providers in the hotel and tourism industry. Forecasts indicate that the number of international visitors to the USA will increase to 96.8 million by 2028. Nevertheless, the companies face major challenges, especially through geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.