United States: New $45 TSA fee for travelers without REAL ID from February 2026

From February 1, 2026, the United States will introduce a new measure affecting certain air travelers: a $45 fee will be required during security checks for individuals who do not have a REAL ID–compliant identification document.

Announced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), this measure mainly targets domestic flights and primarily concerns American travelers who do not have compliant identification. In practice, foreign tourists are rarely affected, as a valid passport (accepted by the TSA) is generally sufficient. Why is this fee being introduced? Who is actually affected? Which documents allow travelers to avoid it? And what is the link with ESTA and U.S. entry formalities? 👉 Here is everything you need to know to travel smoothly to the USA in 2026.

🧾 Key facts about the $45 TSA fee

• 💵 Amount: $45 per person (non-refundable)
• 📅 Effective date: February 1, 2026
• ✈️ Who is affected: travelers aged 18 and over without REAL ID or an accepted document
• 🛂 Type of flights: domestic flights within the United States
• 🪪 Solution: valid passport or REAL ID to avoid the fee
• ⏱️ Validity: ConfirmID verification valid for 10 days

🛂 New TSA fee 2026: what is it exactly?

U.S. authorities are gradually strengthening identity checks at airports. In this context, the TSA has announced the introduction of a $45 TSA fee, applicable to travelers who do not comply with REAL ID rules during security checks.

📌 This new United States 2026 fee does not concern entry into the country, but rather passing TSA security screening before boarding a domestic flight.

🔍 ConfirmID: the system introduced by the TSA

The fee is linked to a new process called TSA ConfirmID.

Specifically, if a traveler cannot present any compliant identification document, the TSA offers an alternative identity verification, which is longer and more costly.

🧾 This TSA identity verification allows:

• to confirm the traveler’s identity via secure databases,
• to exceptionally authorize access to security screening,
• but in exchange for payment of $45, non-refundable.

⏱️ This procedure can significantly increase security screening time.

❓ Why is this measure coming in 2026?

This decision is part of the continuation of the REAL ID Act, adopted to strengthen airport security in the United States.

After several postponements, U.S. authorities now intend to strictly enforce identification rules, while still leaving a paid option for non-compliant travelers.

👥 Who is affected by the $45 fee in the United States?

Contrary to what one might think, this fee does not concern only U.S. citizens. It applies to any person aged 18 or over taking a domestic flight within the United States without an identification document accepted by the TSA.

🪪 U.S. travelers without REAL ID

Many U.S. citizens still use a standard driver’s license that does not comply with REAL ID standards.

👉 In this case:

• ❌ a license without REAL ID marking may trigger the fee,
• ✅ a REAL ID driver’s license (with a star or official marking) avoids any charge.

📌 REAL ID USA = enhanced identification standard required for domestic flights.

🌍 Foreign travelers already in the United States

Foreign tourists in the United States are generally rarely affected, as they have a valid passport to enter the country, and this document is accepted during TSA checks for domestic flights.

They may, however, be affected in specific situations:

• passport forgotten or not accessible at the time of screening,
• passport lost or stolen during the stay,
• document not recognized or copy not accepted.

👉 In these situations, if the traveler cannot present a recognized document, the $45 TSA fee may apply via a ConfirmID verification.

🪪 Which documents allow you to avoid the TSA fee?

Good news: in most cases, this fee is easily avoidable by presenting a document accepted by the TSA.

✅ Passport and identification documents recognized by the TSA

The following documents allow travelers to pass security checks without paying the fee:

• 🛂 Valid passport (U.S. or foreign)
• 🪪 REAL ID driver’s license
• 🧾 Global Entry card
• 🛃 NEXUS or SENTRI card
• 🎖️ Official military ID

👉 A valid passport for travel to the USA remains the most universal solution, especially for foreign travelers.

📋 Practical cases: what to present depending on your situation?

• 🇫🇷 Foreign tourist in the United States → Valid passport
• 🇺🇸 U.S. citizen → REAL ID or passport
• ✈️ Domestic connection after an international flight → Passport recommended
• 🧳 Domestic travel only → REAL ID required or alternative document

📌 In case of forgetting or lacking a compliant document, TSA ConfirmID verification remains possible… but at a cost.

🌐 What is the link with ESTA and U.S. entry formalities?

It is important not to confuse:

• U.S. entry formalities,
• and TSA rules for domestic flights.

The TSA fee has no impact on authorization to enter the United States, but it can complicate travel once on site.

✈️ The TSA fee concerns domestic flights, not entry into the country

To enter the United States, travelers must still comply with standard rules:

• valid passport,
• visa or USA ESTA authorization depending on nationality.

👉 To learn about official costs: 🔗 Check the official ESTA USA price

👉 To see who can travel without a visa: 🔗 List of countries authorized to travel to the USA without a visa

🛂 ESTA: required even with a valid passport

Even if you have:

• a compliant passport,
• or valid identification for TSA purposes,

👉 the ESTA authorization remains mandatory to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

📌 Entry to the USA without a visa ≠ exemption from formalities.

💡 Practical tips to avoid the REAL ID fee in 2026

A few simple precautions can help avoid any unpleasant surprises when traveling to the United States.

🧳 Prepare before departure: document checklist

Before traveling, check:

• ✔ the validity of your passport
• ✔ possession of a REAL ID (if a U.S. citizen)
• ✔ an approved ESTA before departure
• ✔ documents required for each domestic flight

📌 Tip: always keep your passport with you, even for a domestic flight.

⏰ On the day at the airport: timing and TSA security screening

• 🕒 Arrive earlier than usual
• 📄 Prepare your documents before screening
• ❌ Avoid ConfirmID verification if possible (time + cost)
• ✈️ Anticipate tight connections

U.S. airport security is becoming stricter: it’s better to be prepared.

✅ Conclusion

The $45 TSA fee marks a new step in the tightening of identity checks in the United States.

While it does not affect all travelers, it can quickly complicate domestic travel if a document is missing or non-compliant.

👉 Preparing your documents in advance, understanding the difference between entry formalities and TSA rules, and traveling with a valid passport remain the best ways to avoid this fee in 2026.