US Customs and Border Protection lists the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee as $40.27. The fee increase took effect for applications submitted and paid for from 30 September 2025, and the current CBP payment guidance continues to show the updated amount.
ESTA is for eligible travellers using the Visa Waiver Program; it is not a US visa. Each traveller needs their own authorisation, including children, and an approved ESTA does not guarantee admission when they arrive. Travellers who are not eligible for the programme should check the appropriate visa requirements instead.
Use the official ESTA site linked by CBP and verify the total shown before payment. Be careful with lookalike application services: they may add fees and are not a substitute for the government application.