Significant fee hikes are coming for many international travelers visiting the United States, with the changes scheduled to take effect on September 30. The new fee structure, mandated by the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ will particularly affect those from countries in the Middle East within the Visa Waiver Program, allowing for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. This includes nations like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, most of Europe, and Qatar. These increases apply to more than just the ESTA; travelers arriving at US land borders will also face a substantial increase in the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record fee, rising from $6 to $30. Furthermore, travelers from China will be subject to a new $30 enrollment fee for the Electronic Visa Update System. These fee increases arrive at a challenging time for US tourism. The United States is the only country out of 184 economies projected to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025. Coupled with the upcoming $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ for many countries not covered by the Visa Waiver Program, these new costs could further discourage international travel to the US.
