USA lengthens ESTA processing times: no more instant approvals
By Chris C., December 18 2018
Business travellers and tourists heading to the United States under the visa-waiver program will now need to apply for their US ESTA at least 72 hours before travel or risk being offloaded from their flight, with the US Government no longer granting “real-time” ESTA approvals.
Although most passengers would apply for their ESTA well ahead of their flight, sometimes, busy business travellers or holidaymakers simply forget, or don’t realise their previous ESTA had expired, and so could previously apply at the airport, get speedy ESTA approval and board their flight as normal.
Under these changes, effective immediately, “arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding,” says the US Customs and Border Protection agency.
ESTA, the US Government’s Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, is a compulsory online clearance for Australian passport holders – and many others – travelling to the United States for business or pleasure under the visa-waiver program: that is, without a prearranged US visa.
Passengers approved to travel by the ESTA system receive a two-year authorisation covering multiple trips for business, tourism or both, at a one-off cost of US$14, payable by credit card during the application process.
Travellers would only need to apply for a new ESTA if their previous approval has expired or they’ll be using a new passport to enter the United States, as each ESTA is linked to a passport, not to the traveller themselves.
If you’re heading to the United States, use the official ESTA website to apply for your own travel authorisation well in advance of your planned trip, or to confirm that your existing ESTA hasn’t expired, to ensure a smooth departure.
Also read: Visa-free entry to the USA: what you need to know about ESTA
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2012
Total posts 134
worth saying, but there are a tremendous number of fake sites that look like the real thing. You won't know until the end when they ask you for +$75 (not $14). So take care!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Feb 2011
Total posts 12
Agree with above the fake sites are very good! I did one on Saturday and it was approved by Monday morning when I checked back. They ask for more info now as well and have some strange passport scan process on the site, but I ignored it and it went thru ok. Some of the info slots are also blocked the site says you will be able to go back later but I could not find a way to do it, in any case it went thru ok.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
16 Apr 2013
Total posts 48
I made the silly mistake of applying for this on a fake site this morning before I read this article! My card was charged $100.14. I tried calling the number on the site and it says 'the person you are trying to reach is on the phone, please try again later'. After I submitted the application I got an email from them to say they needed a photo of my passport which I stupidly sent....hopefully they can't do anything with this information. Thankfully the bank has stepped in to offer me a refund, however does anyone know how to report this website so other people don't get scammed?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2013
Total posts 144
I have never received an instant clearance. It took anywhere from 8hrs to 24hrs to get one. I think they are trying to avoid people coming to airports and realising they have not received one and apply for it and try to board because it is instant.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
I applied for an ESTA late last year for a holiday and found it was granted within five minutes, which used to be very common: perhaps not the case now, though.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Were ESTAs valid for 10 years previously? I have a note that mine expires in 2024. Wouldn't want to be caught out!
QF
02 Nov 2012
Total posts 48
My original ESTA was 3 years, are you sure yours was 10 years?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Yep, I have it noted in my diary and recall looking up the confirmation email I received at the time... Unless I'm losing my mind! This was in 2014 if that makes a difference.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
I'm not aware of any 10-year ESTAs (10-year visas, yes, but 10-year ESTAs, no), unless you got lucky. If you're planning a trip to the US, perhaps visit the official ESTA site (linked in the article) and just confirm that your ESTA is still showing as valid in the system, to avoid any issues at check-in.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Oh I'll definitely be doing that :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Turns out I'm an idiot - I had the day and month of the ESTA expiry with the year of my passport expiry. Glad this article came out as I would have been in trouble for my trip next year!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
12 Nov 2017
Total posts 20
I have applied for the Visa waiver many times and only ever had the waiver for two years. Last time I applied was around three months ago (and received instant approval).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Apr 2016
Total posts 21
I apply as soon as we book flights, sometimes 11 months out. Sometimes I have to relinquish an existing visa, but generally find the $14 is a nominal fee for the convenience of locking in another 2 years. I only ever use USA Homeland Security's website for this transaction. Approval has been as swift as 5 minutes, but averages 24 hours for a group application.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Hi lw1962, applying for an ESTA doesn't void or cancel any existing (or new) US visa: you can have both at the same time, as you're expected to use the appropriate credential for your trip every time you visit.
For example, I have a five-year multi-entry United States journalism visa that I'm required to use when visiting the US for work, but if taking a personal holiday to the US, have to apply for and use ESTA like everybody else, to enter as a tourist under the visa-waiver program. Having one doesn't cancel out the other: you just tell the staff at passport control your reason for entry and you're processed accordingly.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
16 Apr 2013
Total posts 48
Hi Chris, what is the correct website to apply for a Canadian visa? I'm heading to USA but then to Canada just for a few days.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Hi AV, if you mean the 'eTA' for visa-waiver travel (the Canadian equivalent of the US ESTA), you'll find more detail on this, and a link to apply, in our story here.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1027
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 145
This faux security program is a fustrating cash grab. Now a time burgular for last minute travel.
25 Feb 2017
Total posts 25
Keep my Mothers Body on Ice please. I cant get there for 5 Days. Thankfully we are not Jewish. More Trumpish Noncense
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2016
Total posts 33
Like Chris we normally have ours authorized within minutes. We have probably had about four now - the most recent earlier this year. Qantas have a link which is always safe for the $14. Absolutely no trouble at all.
Qf
26 Apr 2015
Total posts 21
I have just applied for Estas for myself and husband, as a group. Not sure how long it took, but I checked after 48 hours and they were approved. Previously it was very quick, but because they said 72 hours I didn’t check for a few days.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1027
04 Sep 2021
Total posts 1
I applied for ESTA 12 days ago and the Authorisation is still pending. I was a resident for the last 7 year in the US and moved my residence to Germany after my E2 Visa expired one month ago. Maybe it's still pending because I answered truthfully that I was in Syria, Iran, Irak and Sudan after 2011. I was an Airline Pilot in the ME and our huge route network included these Countries. Usually you hardly leave the aircraft in a country since ground-time is less then 1 hour. You spend a few minutes on their soil for an outside check.. This is the only reason I could think off be the reason for the pending status.
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