Traveling to the United States will soon cost more for visitors from visa waiver countries. U.S. authorities have confirmed that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization ESTA fee will rise from $21 to $40 on September 30.

Citizens of the U.K. and most EU nations are required to obtain an ESTA before entering the U.S. The authorization is valid for two years, unless the traveler’s passport expires sooner. The last fee increase took place in May 2022, when the price rose from $14 to $21.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Travel Partnership, called the new hike “a blow to British travelers,” warning it could deter some visitors in the months ahead. She also noted that travelers can avoid paying the higher price if they secure their ESTA before September 29.

The U.S. is not the only region adjusting travel authorization costs. In April, the U.K. raised its electronic travel authorization fee from £10 to £16 (about $22), while the EU recently confirmed that the fee for its upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be €20, nearly triple the initially planned €7. ETIAS is not expected to launch until late 2026.

Ahead of that, the EU’s long-delayed biometric Entry-Exit System (EES) will go live on October 12. The system will require non-EU travelers to provide facial images and fingerprints when entering the bloc.

Lo Bue-Said warned that the rollout could lead to longer border queues, particularly for U.K. passport holders. “Spain is one of the countries 100 percent ready to take biometrics,” she said. “Over time, it will get easier as more countries make sure they are EES-ready. It’s a confusing time for travelers.”