USA New Entry Information Page Launched: What Hungarian Travelers Now Need to Know?

For those preparing to travel to the United States, it is not a new phenomenon that much contradictory information circulates regarding visa, ESTA, and entry rules. However, the current news is truly fresh: on May 18, 2026, Brand USA launched the Get Facts. Get Going. initiative, which aims to collect the most important American entry information on a single, continuously updated platform. At first glance, this may seem "just" a communication step, but in reality, it is an important tourism development, because before the 2026 summer season, the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the reviving transatlantic demand, reducing uncertainty has become one of the greatest competitive advantages.

For the Hungarian audience, this is particularly interesting now, as American trips have returned more strongly to planned vacations and city visits. This is partly due to the fact that a direct Budapest connection to Philadelphia is now available, which we previously wrote about in our article about the launch of the American Airlines Budapest–Philadelphia flight. The new American information page is therefore not only for those generally interested in the USA, but also for Hungarian travelers who are specifically starting to organize their autumn or winter American trips now.

What exactly happened on May 18?

According to the official announcement from Brand USA, the goal of the new initiative is to provide real-time, summarized information on visas, entry rules, fees, and practical questions affecting travelers. The emphasis is not on Washington having introduced new rules on that day, but on the American tourism marketing organization attempting for the first time to channel information that many travelers had previously tried to piece together from scattered official and semi-official pages, media articles, or social media posts.

This is significant because Brand USA itself emphasizes: in recent months, many misunderstandings have arisen in international markets regarding visa obligations, entry procedures, some recommended fees, and American inspection practices. From a tourism perspective, the news is therefore not merely administrative. Entry uncertainty often discourages bookings just as much as high prices or poor air connectivity. If the rules are clearer, it can directly support demand.

Have American entry rules changed now?

The short answer: no, at least according to official American information, no new general entry change has occurred that would rewrite the basic obligations of travelers. One of the most important messages of the new American summary page is precisely that no substantive new visa or entry rules have come into effect, and several proposals appearing in the press remain only drafts or options under investigation.

This clarification is particularly important now. Many travelers in recent weeks interpreted the news as if entry to the USA had suddenly become much more complicated or expensive. Official American communication, by contrast, says: the most important framework remains the same, and travelers must still check whether they can prepare with an ESTA or a visa based on the purpose of their trip, their citizenship, their passport type, and their previous travels.

What is the situation with ESTA and visa-free travel?

According to the current Visa Waiver Program page of the US Department of State, Hungary continues to be among the participating countries. In practice, this means that Hungarian travelers who meet all the program's conditions can prepare for a tourist or business trip of up to 90 days to the United States without a visa, using an ESTA authorization.

It is important, however, that this is not an automatic right, but a conditional opportunity. The traveler must have a valid ESTA approval before departure and also needs a suitable electronic passport. American information also draws attention to the fact that the VWP cannot be used for all travel purposes: a visa is still required for studies, employment, permanent residence, or trips longer than 90 days. The same applies if someone is not eligible for visa-free entry due to some exclusionary reason.

The USA also emphasizes that ESTA alone does not guarantee entry. The authorization allows the traveler to depart with the airline and request entry at the American border, but the final decision is still made by the American border protection officer acting upon arrival. In practice, this means that Hungarian travelers must not only pay attention to the existence of ESTA but also ensure that the purpose of their trip, their stay plans, and their documents are clear.

What is true about the 250 dollar visa fee?

One of the most mentioned questions is the so-called Visa Integrity Fee, or the 250 dollar supplementary visa fee. According to the official information published by Brand USA in March, this fee is not currently introduced. The organization clearly states that the fee is only a recommended element, has not yet been applied, and no official implementation schedule has been announced for it.

This is a very significant difference compared to how the topic often appeared in social media or short news summaries. From a Hungarian perspective, this means that anyone planning to apply for an American visa now should not automatically assume that this extra 250 dollars is definitely payable. At the same time, it is worth checking the current official status before booking, because if the regulation were to actually come into effect later, it would primarily affect the budget of travelers requiring a visa.

What does all this mean for those who still need a visa?

Not every traveler from Hungary can prepare with an ESTA. Due to the purpose of the trip, the planned length of stay, previous history, or certain previous travels, many may still require a traditional American visa. According to the official information from Visit The USA, the base fee for a non-immigrant American visa is currently 185 dollars, but the exact amount may depend on the visa type.

It is particularly important for visa travelers to start the process in time and to account for the time needed to obtain an interview appointment, not just the flight ticket. In the current seasonal situation, this is further reinforced by sports tourism: the American information specifically highlights that for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders, the FIFA PASS expedited appointment booking system is available if they need a B2 tourist visa. This does not apply to all travelers, but it is a good example of how the USA is trying to manage the expected visa load associated with major events.

What should Hungarian travelers pay attention to in practice?

Based on official American pages, the most important lesson now is that travel to the USA can still be planned, but it is not advisable to rely on short videos, forum comments, or old travel reports. The following steps may be particularly useful:

• check whether the traveler can prepare with an ESTA or a visa;
• check if the passport type and validity meet the conditions;
• prepare in advance the proofs of accommodation, onward or return travel, and destination;
• travel with a one-way ticket only very cautiously, as this can slow down or complicate entry;
• be aware that rules for medicines, cash, and food brought into the USA may differ from European practice.

The Visit The USA page also highlights that while a return ticket is not mandatory in all cases, proof of onward travel or the planned stay can speed up the entry process. The same applies to accommodation details. In short: even if something is not mandatory in every case, it is still worth keeping it with you, as in practice it can save the traveler from many inconveniences.

Why is this important now in the Hungarian market?

Clearer communication of the American entry environment may be particularly effective now because Hungarian travelers are encountering new incentives and new uncertainties at the same time. On one hand, more direct connections, autumn-winter city visits, and the major American events of 2026 strengthen demand. On the other hand, prices, mixed news about entry rules, and fear of potential extra costs make many bookings uncertain.

In this situation, every official source that provides usable guidance rather than marketing promises becomes more valuable. For Hungarian travelers, this means that planning American trips is now better based on official information, and only then selecting the route, the entry point, and ground transportation. If someone, for example, arrives with the direct flight from Budapest, it may be useful to review the Philadelphia airport page and the guide to Philadelphia airport transfers and taxis in advance.

The USA has not become easier, but more transparent

The most important message of the May 18 American announcement is not that administrative burdens have suddenly disappeared, but that the United States is now consciously selling predictability in the tourism competition. This is good news for Hungarian travelers, because according to the current official status, there is no general tightening of basic entry rules, and the much-mentioned 250 dollar extra fee has not yet been introduced.

It remains true, however, that precision matters more when traveling to the USA than for many other destinations. The type of ESTA or visa, the passport's suitability, the purpose of the trip, and the supporting documents all influence how smooth the departure and arrival will be. The newly launched American information page can help with exactly this: it does not simplify the rules, but puts them in one place. For 2026 summer and autumn American bookings, this in itself can be a significant practical advantage.