Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy — La economía de Hoy por Hoy | Los visados en Estados Unidos pasarán de costar 21 dólares a subir hasta los 40

Host: Àngels Barceló
Date: September 24, 2025
Segment: Tiempo de Economía con Jordi Fábrega

Main Theme

This episode of "Hoy por Hoy" focuses on recent and significant increases in the costs associated with traveling to and working in the United States—specifically, dramatic price hikes for ESTA travel authorizations and special work visas for highly qualified foreign workers. The discussion revolves around the implications of these changes, the motivations behind them (particularly fiscal policies championed by the Trump administration), and their broader economic and social impacts on tourism, labor, and international relations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ESTA Fee Increase: A Sudden Cost Doubling for Travelers

• Announcement: From September 30, the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which allows citizens of Spain and many other countries to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa, will increase from $21 to $40.
• Context:
  • The increase is a direct result of recent fiscal measures ("esa ley grande y bonita que presentaba" – a reference to Trump’s self-congratulatory promotion), aimed at addressing the large US national debt.
  • New Fee Structure: The extra $19 goes directly to the Department of Homeland Security coffers.
  • Urgency for Listeners: Those planning to travel should apply for ESTA before the price hike to save money.
  • Quote:

    "Consejo prá si tiene previsto ir a Estados Unidos en los próximos meses, pida ya esta autorización antes del martes que viene, porque el miércoles costará el doble."
    —Jordi Fábrega [01:24]

2. Exorbitant Jump in Work Visa Prices for Highly Qualified Foreign Workers

• Change Details: Special work visas (primarily for highly skilled employees) have skyrocketed from $1,000 to $100,000.
• Significance:
  • These visas are already restricted by an annual quota (about 85,000/year), predominantly going to Indian nationals.
  • The Trump Administration’s clear goal: redirect these jobs to Americans.
  • Quote:

    "Son unos visados que están además limitados desde hace años... y lo que quiere la administración Trump es que estos puestos de trabajo sean para estadounidenses."
    —Jordi Fábrega [02:15]

  • The Secretary of the Treasury, Howard Ludnik, openly urges American businesses to avoid hiring foreigners:

    “Dejen de traer gente para quitarnos el trabajo.”
    —Howard Ludnik (cited by Jordi Fábrega) [02:44]

• Business Reaction: The affected companies are critical, facing massive new costs and international talent shortages.

3. Economic Consequences: Declining Tourism and Labor Shortages

• Tourism Data:

  • Consistent Decline: Since February (with the exception of Easter-influenced April), monthly tourist arrivals to the US are down year-over-year: 2% in February, 12% in March, and 3% declines each month from May through August.
  • Spanish tourists are the exception, but their increase is marginal (+0.2%).
  • Quote:

    "Si miramos los datos mes a mes, desde febrero, salvo abril por efecto Semana Santa, pero desde febrero, cada mes están llegando a Estados Unidos menos turistas que en el mismo mes del año anterior."
    —Jordi Fábrega [03:13]

• Labor Market Strain:

  • Increasing restrictions are "generando problemas en el mercado laboral".
  • Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, attributed some of the US’s economic slowdown and the recent interest rate cut to Trump’s immigration policies.

    "El último en decirlo fue... Jerome Powell..."
    —Jordi Fábrega [03:52]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Practical Advice:

  "Consejo prá si tiene previsto ir a Estados Unidos en los próximos meses, pida ya esta autorización antes del martes que viene, porque el miércoles costará el doble."
  —Jordi Fábrega [01:24]

• Shock Over Work Visa Increase:

  "De mil a cien mil, sí."
  —Àngels Barceló & Jordi Fábrega [02:06–02:08]

• Political Context:

  "Así es la que prevé esta subida del precio del ESTA para pagar la enorme deuda del país."
  —Jordi Fábrega [00:48]

• On Tourist Decline:

  "Desde febrero, cada mes están llegando a Estados Unidos menos turistas que en el mismo mes del año anterior."
  —Jordi Fábrega [03:13]

• Economic Alarm:

  "...todas las trabas que está poniendo la administración Trump a la llegada de inmigrantes están generando problemas en el mercado laboral."
  —Jordi Fábrega [03:53]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:24] ESTA price increase announced and explained
• [01:39] Introduction to work visa situation
• [01:49] Details on extraordinary work visa fee hike
• [03:00] Discussion of economic consequences: tourism and labor market impacts
• [03:52] Reference to Jerome Powell and monetary policy response
• [04:17] Segment close

Tone & Language

Àngels Barceló and Jordi Fábrega maintain a direct, accessible, and slightly incredulous tone, blending clear information with critical undertones regarding the Trump Administration’s policies. The segment is informative, urgent (regarding pending deadlines), and laced with subtle skepticism about the efficacy and motivations of the new restrictions.

In Summary

This episode provides an incisive look at how the US’s sudden, dramatic increases in visa and travel authorization fees—driven by Trump-era fiscal and immigration policies—are already causing notable reductions in tourism and are expected to generate labor shortages, with business and economic leaders sounding the alarm. For listeners, the immediate takeaway: act fast if traveling to the US, and brace for broader economic ripples in the months ahead.