The cost for travelers entering the United States and the European Union will be increasing soon. While new registration requirements and fees should still be minimal for travelers not required to have a visa, the cost for those required to have a visa will be much steeper for the U.S. The increased charges reflect the larger trend of countries looking to further secure their borders and implement monetary measures to recoup costs and reduce visa duration abuse.
European Travel Information and Authorization System
The European Union Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs recently announced that the fee for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be 24 euros instead of the initially proposed amount of 7 euros. After being delayed several times, ETIAS is scheduled to be implemented in the fourth quarter of 2026. Registration is good for three years.
ETIAS is the new travel registration system for travelers to Europe who possess a passport of a country for which a visa is not required to enter a Schengen country. Once in effect, U.S. and other travelers to Europe who do not need a visa to visit 30 countries in the Schengen zone and other participating countries will be required to first get approval under the system. As is currently the policy, travelers will be permitted to spend 90 days in a 180-day period within the Schengen zone. There are 59 countries and territories, as well as the United States, in which citizens do not need a visa to enter countries comprising the Schengen zone, and who will be required to receive approval under ETIAS.
Entry/Exit System
In addition to ETIAS, the EU is launching a new digital entry system known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is scheduled to be operational on 12 October with full implementation by 12 April 2026. EES will replace the traditional stamping of a passport by a border agent with a self-service kiosk in which the traveler will scan their own passport. The system is intended to improve security and better allow the EU to know if travelers stay longer than allowed.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization
In the 28 August issue of the U.S. Federal Register, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted the increase to $40 from the current amount of $21 for registering through the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is the system through which travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must receive authorization to travel to the U.S., and is valid for two years.
The increase in the ETIAS fee was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R 1, Public Law 119-21), as were increases in fees for the Form I-94 at land border ports of entry from $6 to $30 and a new fee of $30 for the Electronic Visa Update System, which is the online registration system for nationals from China with a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B-2 (visitor) visa. H.R. 1. The new fees will take effect on 30 September.
Visa Integrity Fee
As previously reported by WERC in the article analyzing the impact of H.R. 1 on talent mobility, a new visa integrity fee of $250 is being imposed for non-immigrant visa applications. The new fee is proposed to be implemented on 1 October and will apply to nationals from China, Mexico, Brazil, and from other countries not part of the Visa Waiver Program.
The fee is refundable if the foreign national departs within five days of their visa expiring. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet released more specific details on how to apply for a refund.