≡-South Korea Joins Spain, UK, Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan, Australia, France, Sweden, Singapore And The World’s Top-Spending Tourists Now Hit With Doubled ESTA Fee In U.S. Entry Barrier Surge – Viral of Today

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Home » Canada Travel News » South Korea Joins Spain, UK, Germany, Canada, Italy, Japan, Australia, France, Sweden, Singapore And The World’s Top-Spending Tourists Now Hit With Doubled ESTA Fee In U.S. Entry Barrier Surge Monday, July 14, 2025U.S. Faces Backlash as ESTA Fee Doubles for Travelers from Key Allied NationsThe United States is confronting a growing storm in the global tourism arena as a sharp rise in travel authorization fees threatens to further erode its appeal to international visitors. One of the most significant contributing factors to the decline in revenue has been the steep fall in Canadian tourist arrivals. While millions of Canadians visited the U.S. last year, recent surveys reveal a mounting boycott—largely political in nature—with many pledging to avoid American travel until there is a shift in national leadership.Canada’s retreat from the U.S. market isn’t an isolated case. Affluent travelers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands are also turning their backs on the United States, often favoring nearby, more welcoming destinations like Canada. Ontario, in particular, has seen a notable influx of international tourists who are consciously avoiding the U.S. due to concerns over its political climate and increasingly unfriendly image abroad.Despite this clear decline in inbound tourism and the financial damage it is causing—running into billions of dollars—the U.S. government is advancing legislation that may further discourage global visitors. Originally introduced during the Trump administration, the wide-reaching “One Big Beautiful Bill” includes a contentious provision: a significant hike in the cost of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for visitors from 41 visa waiver countries.What Is ESTA and Who Needs It?The ESTA is a digital screening tool used by U.S. authorities to pre-approve travelers from participating countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). It allows eligible tourists, business travelers, and transiting passengers to enter the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a traditional visa. The application process is conducted online, and approvals often come within hours. However, final entry decisions rest with Customs and Border Protection upon arrival.The new rule, embedded in the revived Trump-era legislation, raises the ESTA application fee from $21 to $40. While still less expensive than a standard visa, the fee hike is expected to disproportionately impact families and frequent travelers. Many of the targeted nations are close U.S. allies, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, France, and Canada.Full List of Countries Affected by the ESTA Fee IncreaseEurope: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United KingdomAsia: Brunei, Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, TaiwanOceania: Australia, New ZealandSouth America: ChileThese nations represent many of the U.S.’s strongest diplomatic and tourism partners—making the fee hike particularly controversial during a period of strained global relations and economic uncertainty.Industry Reactions and Mixed ReviewsReactions from travel industry groups have been swift. The U.S. Travel Association acknowledged that the bill includes much-needed investment in border staffing, air traffic control modernization, and airport infrastructure—especially as the country prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. However, the organization also strongly criticized the ESTA price hike, labeling it a “self-imposed tariff” that may further dampen international travel interest.The bill also slashes annual funding for Brand USA—from $100 million to just $20 million—undermining America’s global tourism marketing efforts. This has fueled fears that countries like Canada, Australia, and EU nations will gain a competitive advantage in attracting global travelers.Why Is the Fee Increasing?Federal officials argue that the additional ESTA revenue is essential for modernizing the country’s travel infrastructure and meeting future demand. The collected funds are expected to support:Hiring and training additional border officersStreamlining traveler screening systemsEnhancing airport facilities and capacityImproving air traffic control systemsElevating overall visitor experienceWith travel expected to surge leading up to global events in 2026 and 2028, the government sees the fee hike as a necessary step to strengthen infrastructure and reduce congestion.When Will the Changes Take Effect?Though the fee hike has received official approval, authorities have yet to confirm an exact implementation date. Many expect the changes to be implemented before the start of the 2026 World Cup. International travelers from VWP countries are advised to monitor U.S. travel sites for official updates.Interestingly, the U.S. is not alone in introducing such changes. The European Union plans to launch its own version of ESTA, known as ETIAS, which will require non-EU visitors—including Americans—to pay for travel pre-authorization beginning in 2026. However, the launch has been delayed multiple times due to technical setbacks.What This Means for TravelersDespite the fee increase, travelers under the VWP will still benefit from visa-free access and multiple entries to the U.S. over a two-year period. Yet the higher cost could steer some toward alternative destinations that offer easier entry and better value.With the U.S. already facing a sharp decline in foreign visitors, the timing of this fee increase—combined with reduced tourism marketing—raises serious questions about the country’s ability to remain competitive in the global travel economy.Tags: Australia, Canada, ESTA, ESTA fee increase, france, germany, Italy, japan, spain, Sweden, tourism fee hike, UK, US travel policy, us visa rules, visa-free travel

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