At the start of FY 2026 (Sept. 30, 2025), new fees took effect for travelers. These apply at land borders, through the Visa Waiver Program, and for Chinese nationals using EVUS.
What’s Changing
- I-94 (land border only) – from $6 → $30
- ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) – from $21 → $40 (valid 2 years)
- EVUS (for Chinese B1/B2 holders) – from free → $30
All three fees will increase annually with inflation starting FY 2026.
Impacts for Travelers
- Land border entries (e.g., TN visa holders) are now $30 per trip.
- ESTA nearly doubled; those who applied before Sept. 30 locked in $21 for 2 years.
- EVUS now carries a $30 cost.
Implications for Employers
- Higher travel costs for frequent border crossers.
- HR/mobility teams should update onboarding/travel instructions.
- Budgets must adjust for recurring I-94 and ESTA costs.
- Encourage early ESTA applications before future fee hikes.
Action Items
- Audit travel plans for impacted employees.
- Update travel and onboarding guidance.
- Budget for recurring I-94/ESTA fees.
- Encourage staff to apply early for ESTA.
- Monitor annual CPI-based fee increases.