- Starting in 2026, the U.S. will increase visa-related fees, including raising the ESTA fee to $40.27 for travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries.
- The fee for EVUS enrollment for Chinese nationals will rise to $30.75, and the fee for humanitarian parole will increase to $1,020.
- These adjustments are mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1) to cover rising operational costs and inflation.
- The interview waiver policy will be discontinued for most visa applicants in September 2025, requiring mandatory in-person interviews
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to implement new, inflation-adjusted fee increases for various visa and immigration services starting in 2026. These changes, mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), aim to cover the rising operational costs of maintaining U.S. immigration systems without relying heavily on taxpayer funding.
Key adjustments include a slight rise in the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) fee, which will increase from $40 to $40.27. This change directly impacts nationals from Visa Waiver Program countries such as Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, who are required to obtain this authorization for business or tourism travel. Additionally, the fee for EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System) enrollment, mandatory for Chinese nationals holding a 10-year B-1/B-2 visa, will increase from $30 to $30.75.
More significant hikes are seen in other areas: the fee for humanitarian parole into the U.S. will jump by $20, rising from $1,000 to $1,020. The act also introduces new fees for asylum applications and employment authorizations. While the fee for the CBP Form I-94 remains unchanged at $30, other visa categories like H-1B and F-1 student visas will also see inflationary adjustments. Travelers are advised to prepare for these new costs and be aware that the interview waiver (“Dropbox”) policy is set to be discontinued for most applicants starting in September 2025, requiring in-person interviews.
