You can pay for the ESTA application and authorization fees using a credit or debit card. The ESTA currently accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club International, and JCB. Your application can only be processed if your application is complete with all required fields, and if your payment has been successfully authorized.
In the pay-by- card section of the form fields, the details are required to be filled in alpha-numeric characters. The details include:
- Debit or credit card number
- Card expiry date
- Card Security Code (CSC)
You may also be required to provide billing information related to the card holder.
What should I do if the ESTA system is not accepting my credit or debit card?
ESTA applicants that are experiencing payment issues should contact their bank, credit or debit card provider. The ESTA payment system may not provide useful information for troubleshooting payment issues. Thus, you may need to get your card company involved to assist you.
When I should I apply and pay for an ESTA?
The Department of Homeland Security suggests that you apply for ESTA authorization as soon as you establish you will travel to the U.S via the Visa Waiver Program. Your departure is not affected if your ESTA expires while in the U.S. From September 8, 2010, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (section 9 of the United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-145) requires a fee.
What is the ESTA fee?
The ESTA application fee is comprised of;
- Processing charges – Everyone applying for an Electronic System Travel Authorization pays the processing charges
- Authorization charges – If you ESTA get approved, and you get the authorization to travel to the United States through the Visa Waiver Program, you will be charged the extra. If the Electronic System Travel Authorization is denied, you only get charged for processing the application.
Visa Waiver travelers of all ages will require an approved ESTA to enter the United States. Thus, payment is required for each applicant.
Are ESTA refunds possible?
Once an application has been processed the fee becomes payable. Thus, refunds on submitted ESTA applications are non-refundable.
When do I need to pay the ESTA application fee?
Payment is required on an ESTA application after form completion, yet just before form submission. If applicants are unsure of their need for an ESTA, they can save the application as a draft before submitting. The application will remain active in the system for seven days.