The cost of visiting the United States is set to increase significantly for many international travelers, with the new fee structures taking effect on September 30. The changes, mandated by the Trump administration’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ will particularly impact residents of countries in the Middle East that are part of the Visa Waiver Program and can travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days. This includes countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, most of Europe, and Qatar.
The fee increases are not limited to the ESTA. Travelers arriving at a U.S. land border will also see a sharp rise in the cost of their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, which jumps from $6 to $30. Additionally, travelers from China will be asked to pay a new $30 enrollment fee for the Electronic Visa Update System.
The new fees have been implemented at a challenging time for U.S. tourism. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the United States is the only country out of a total of 184 economies projected to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025. The new costs, along with the looming $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ for many non-Visa Waiver countries, could further discourage international visitors.
As per a CNN report, a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security said that the new Visa Integrity Fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation.
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