Canada Joins Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, Bahamas and More as US Set to Impose New Visa Fee Hike Next Year: Everything You Need to Know

Here’s a breakdown of the most important fee changes:

1. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

For travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the ESTA fee will rise slightly by $0.27, from $40 in FY 2025 to $40.27 in FY 2026. ESTA is a mandatory electronic travel authorization for foreign nationals planning to visit the U.S. for business or tourism purposes. Travelers must submit their application for ESTA authorization before traveling, and this fee increase will apply to nationals from countries like Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, among others.

2. EVUS Enrollment

Nationals of China holding a 10-year B-1/B-2 visitor visa will be impacted by an increase in the EVUS enrollment fee. The revised fee will increase by $0.75, from $30 to $30.75 for FY 2026. EVUS is an online system that allows Chinese nationals to update their visa information with DHS before traveling to the U.S. The increase reflects the rising operational costs associated with maintaining and processing the system.

3. CBP Form I-94

The fee for the CBP Form I-94, which records the arrival and departure of foreigners at U.S. ports of entry, will remain unchanged at $30 for FY 2026. This fee applies to foreign nationals entering the U.S. who are legally required to submit the form.

4. Parole into the United States

The parole fee allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. temporarily for humanitarian purposes or significant public benefit. For FY 2026, this fee will increase by $20, going from $1,000 in FY 2025 to $1,020 in FY 2026. This fee change will affect nationals from various countries who seek entry under parole terms.

Why Are These Fees Increasing?

The fee adjustments are part of a larger strategy outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1). This act was designed to modernize and streamline the U.S. immigration system while ensuring that immigration-related services remain self-funded. It mandates that certain immigration fees, including those for ESTA, EVUS, and parole, be adjusted annually in response to inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The goal of these adjustments is to cover the increasing operational costs of processing applications and maintaining the infrastructure necessary for managing U.S. immigration systems. By implementing these fee increases, the U.S. government aims to ensure that its immigration services can continue operating without depending too heavily on taxpayer funding.

When Will These Changes Take Effect?

The new fee structure will be effective from 2026. This means that all applications and enrollments processed on or after this date will be subject to the revised fee amounts. Travelers from affected countries should plan accordingly and take the fee hikes into consideration when applying for U.S. entry.

Impact on Other U.S. Visa Services

While the fee hikes for ESTA and EVUS will primarily impact nationals of countries in the Visa Waiver Program, the changes also extend to other visa categories, including H-1B and F-1 student visas, which will see similar inflationary adjustments.

Additionally, the U.S. State Department has announced that the interview waiver policy—commonly known as the Dropbox program—will be discontinued for most visa applicants starting in September 2025. This means that many travelers, including foreign workers on temporary visas and F-1 international students, will no longer be eligible for interview waivers and will need to attend in-person interviews for their visa applications.

What Travelers Need to Know

For travelers from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and other Visa Waiver Program countries, it is essential to be aware of these changes as they plan future trips to the U.S. The inflation-adjusted fees will apply to all relevant applications, including ESTA and EVUS enrollments, as well as parole applications. Travelers should ensure they submit their applications ahead of the 2026 deadline to avoid being caught off guard by the increased fees.

These fee increases, although modest, can add up for families, business travelers, and frequent visitors to the U.S. As such, understanding the impact of these changes is crucial for anyone planning travel in the near future.

Starting in 2026, travelers from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and other countries will face higher fees for U.S. visa-related services, with ESTA fees rising to $40.27, EVUS fees to $30.75, and parole fees to $1,020. This adjustment, made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, reflects inflationary changes mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1) to cover rising operational costs.

The fee hikes announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are part of a broader effort to adjust U.S. immigration-related fees to match the inflationary pressures of the modern economy. Nationals from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and many other countries will need to pay more for immigration services, including ESTA, EVUS, and parole.

As these changes take effect in 2026, travelers should prepare for the new costs and ensure they are informed about the adjustments. Whether for tourism, business, or education, it’s essential to account for the revised fees to ensure smooth processing and avoid surprises at the time of application.