U.S. to introduce biometric exit checks and higher visa fees—German travellers face tighter rules from 26 December

The United States will launch a new aviation-sector visa policy and biometric Entry/Exit System on 26 December 2025, affecting arrivals from Germany and 30 other countries. According to a briefing note released yesterday, travellers must pre-enrol fingerprints via the CBP One app and pay an increased ESTA fee of US$27 (up from US$21). Airlines will deny boarding if enrolment is incomplete.

German corporates sending staff to the U.S. over the holiday period should ensure compliance with the new preregistration, which mirrors the EU’s EES but adds an exit-confirmation step at departure gates. Failure to record an exit will trigger an automatic overstay alert, complicating future ESTA renewals.

Travel-management companies expect a surge in airport dwell time until passengers get used to the extra checkpoint. Lufthansa says it will open fingerprint stations at Frankfurt and Munich in early December so travellers can enrol before flying.

Data-privacy experts note that biometric information will be retained for 75 years under DHS rules, raising questions under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. Companies should update GDPR notices supplied to employees and consider alternative routing for time-sensitive trips immediately after Christmas.