ESTA for Foreign Residents in Brazil: The US$40 Fee and Who Can Use It

The fee changed, but eligibility did not

The price increase occurred in two steps. U.S. law first set a new US$40 minimum. DHS then applied the FY2026 inflation adjustment, publishing a total of US$40.27. Applicants should check the amount shown at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and avoid look-alike websites that add private service fees.

Paying the higher fee does not expand the Visa Waiver Program. A residence permit, Brazilian tax number or long-term address in Brazil cannot make a non-participating passport eligible.

Passport nationality is the starting point

A foreign national living in Brazil may use ESTA only if travelling with a passport from a VWP country and meeting every other condition. A Brazilian passport alone does not qualify. A dual national should use the passport connected to the authorization and disclose other citizenship and travel information accurately.

The route is designed for eligible business or tourism visits of 90 days or less. It is not a substitute for work, academic study, residence or another activity that requires a visa.

History can still require a visa

Certain travel, additional nationalities and answers to security or immigration questions can remove VWP eligibility. An ESTA refusal does not necessarily mean that a visa will be refused, but it does mean the traveller should not attempt to board under that authorization.

A second passport does not erase prior refusals, overstays or government records. The application should be answered from the traveller's complete history rather than from the document that appears more convenient.

Validity and U.S. admission

An approval is commonly valid for up to two years or until the passport expires, whichever happens first. A new passport normally requires a new ESTA. Authorization may also be cancelled before its expected end date.

ESTA allows an eligible traveller to seek boarding and request admission. CBP makes the admission decision at the port of entry and controls the authorized stay.

A practical decision for residents in Brazil

Check the passport, actual activity, intended duration and immigration history before choosing between ESTA and a visa. Starting with price or appointment convenience can lead to the wrong route.

MVA Vistos provides private, independent assistance for foreign residents in Brazil, reviewing the applicable route and factual consistency. No private adviser can promise authorization, visa issuance or entry.

What the US$40 headline leaves out

The fee is paid for processing the authorization, not for a successful trip. A denied or later cancelled authorization does not purchase a visa appointment or waive a visa fee. Travellers should therefore resolve passport eligibility and purpose before paying.

An airline approval to board is not a legal opinion on status, and a previous ESTA does not guarantee a future one. Each application must remain accurate on the date it is submitted.

Foreign residents should also consider the return journey to Brazil. ESTA concerns U.S. travel only. A Brazilian residence card, passport validity and any transit-country document remain separate requirements.

If a family travels together, every traveller, including a child, needs the appropriate individual authorization or visa. One parent's ESTA does not cover dependants, and each application must use that person's own passport data.

An approved authorization should be checked again before departure, especially after a passport change or a material update to the trip. The traveller should keep the application number and use the official CBP portal to review status rather than rely on an email link or a travel agency screenshot.

Frequently asked questions

Does Brazilian residence make me eligible for ESTA?

No. Eligibility is based primarily on the passport used and the VWP conditions.

Is the fee US$40 or US$40.27?

US$40 is the statutory reference. DHS published a FY2026 adjusted total of US$40.27.

Can a dual citizen use ESTA?

Potentially, with an eligible passport and full compliance with the VWP. Other citizenships and history must be disclosed.

Does approval guarantee entry?

No. CBP decides admission at the port of entry.

Do I need a new ESTA after renewing my passport?

Normally yes, because the authorization is linked to the passport.

Can I study or work with ESTA?

Not for regular academic study or employment. The actual activity determines the route.

Official sources consulted

• https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1337?language=en_US
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/19/2025-20304/certain-dhs-immigration-fees-required-by-hr-1-fiscal-year-2026-adjustments-for-inflation
• https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program
• https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Specialized consular assistance

MVA Vistos can assess the passport, purpose and history before a foreign resident in Brazil chooses ESTA or a visa. CBP alone controls authorization and admission.

Editorial note

Informational content updated on September 3, 2026. MVA Vistos is a private, independent consular-assistance company. It is not part of, and does not represent, any government, embassy or consulate. Rules, fees and procedures may change, and the competent authority makes every final decision.