Yes, a third party can
fill out your ESTA form
for you, as it is not compulsory for the person
whose name appears on the form to complete the form themselves. It is acceptable for a third
party such as a friend, parent, partner or travel agent to fill out all or
part of the form on your behalf.
Read moreFAQ
Got questions about ESTA? There are many questions
which may come up if you’re thinking of apply
for ESTA or when you’re filling out your application. We hope to answer
some of these here.
If you need some quick answers to general questions, you can also take a look at our
application page
for some more info on the process, and information on ESTA.
Can a third party fill out my ESTA application for me?
Can children fly with ESTA?
If a child is the citizen of a country that is part of the
Visa Waiver Program then they will
require a valid ESTA to travel to the United States.
This applies to children of all ages, including
infants, in the exact same way that adults require
an ESTA for permission to enter the US.
Children will also require their own passport,
so they cannot travel under their parent’s passport,
like there are able to when visiting some countries.
The child must have an unexpired biometric/electronic passport
(one which must be machine readable
and possess a digital photograph of the bearer integrated into the biographical data page).
Read moreCan ESTA be extended?
It is not possible to extend your ESTA but you are able to renew your ESTA. Your ESTA is
valid for a maximum period of two years from issue, or until your passport expires if that is
sooner. To renew your ESTA, you must submit a
new application, in the same way that you submitted your previous one.
As the ESTA renewal process is usually very quick, it should not cause any delay to your travel
plans. However, it is advised by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to apply or reapply for
your ESTA when you book your trip, or a minimum of 72 hours before you plan to travel.
Read moreCan I fix a mistake on my ESTA application?
Prior to payment, you can amend all the details in your application. Once you have paid and
submitted your ESTA application, there are some mistakes that you can amend but the majority
will require for you to submit a completely new application.
Read moreCan I use my post-dated passport?
If you are a UK citizen and have a post-dated passport that won’t be valid until a certain
date (due to name change for example), you will not be able to apply for ESTA, as you need
to apply using a passport that is valid at the time the application is submitted. Since a
post-dated passport is only valid from the date of the detail change (i.e. marriage, divorce,
gender change or civil partnership ceremony), you will not be able to use it to apply until
that day.
You should check the validity of your passport before you apply for ESTA and well in advance
of the day you travel to make sure that everything is in order. It is always recommended
that you travel with a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of your travel.
Read moreCan I travel without an ESTA
If you’re planning on visiting the US in the future, then you will need
some form of travel authorisation if you are not a US citizen. The quickest
and easiest way to
get travel authorisation is
through an ESTA, which is available for citizens from
Visa Waiver Program countries to apply for.
It is available for travellers that are entering the US for tourism, business,
transit or medical purposes for a stay that is no longer than 90 days in total.
Read moreCan I get an ESTA at the airport?
A common issue that people with travel plans for going to the US encounter is
that they are unaware of the need to obtain an ESTA or a visa as travel authorization
to enter the US. Sometimes people forget that they require an ESTA,
or think that their existing one is still valid.
In many cases, this can mean that their booked
flights get missed and they need to either reschedule or cancel their travel plans entirely.
Read moreCan I extend my ESTA while in the U.S.?
When you are travelling to the US on an ESTA and it
is due to expire, the ESTA can be renewed, not extended. There is no option
for an ESTA visa extension.
Read moreDo I need a digital passport for ESTA?
Yes, all applicants for ESTA must have unexpired, up-to-date, and valid digital passports.
This also applies to
children
of all ages, including infants. The passport must remain valid for the entire duration of your
stay in the United States. You cannot remain in the United States with an expired passport, or
you will be in violation of the Visa Waiver Program.
In order for your passport to be valid with the
Visa Waiver Program requirements, the passport must be digital
Read moreDo I need a new ESTA application if my name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or another legal proceeding?
If your name has changed but you have not yet submitted your application, then you should make
your changes and submit it. Although the form can be completed in minutes and the process of
obtaining authorisation is usually quick, the U.S. authorities recommend completing the form at
least 72 hours prior to your flight, or at the time of booking. Make sure all information is
correct before submitting your application to ensure things run smoothly.
Read moreDo I need any other documents apart from ESTA?
Yes, you require your passport to travel to the US as well as your ESTA as the authorisation is
centred around your passport number. This must be an electronic passport (ePassport) with a
digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner and that also has a
machine readable zone on the biographic page. You can identify if you have a chip by checking
if there is a small logo of a rectangle and a circle on the front of your passport,
similar to this:
A machine readable passport is one that contains two lines of text on the bottom of the
information page of your passport. This text contains symbols and letters that can be scanned
by machines for information. The passport must also contain a digital photograph, i.e. one that
is printed directly onto the data page.
Read moreDo I need ESTA to visit the USA?
If you are a citizen of one of the
VWP countries
and you are travelling to the USA by air or sea using your VWP country passport, you must apply
for ESTA, which has been mandatory since 2009. This includes if you are visiting the United
States for business, pleasure, or in transit (in this latter case, write "In Transit" in lieu of
your address on the application).
On the other hand, if you hold a VWP country passport and are coming to the USA by land, you
do not have to apply for ESTA, however, you should return your green I-94W card upon departure.
If you are arriving by land and departing by air, you should return your green I-94W card to the
airline representative prior to boarding your flight.
Read moreDo I need specific travel plans to apply for ESTA?
You do not need specific travel plans when you are applying for an ESTA, you just need to fill in
the address where you will be staying. If you’re travelling around the U.S. then you can just
write the first place you’re staying at as a point of reference. If you haven’t made your plans
just yet as your trip is a little short notice, you can list ‘unknown’ as your first point of
address, and then that can be edited after 24 hours once you have had time to plan out your trip.
The address of your stay is one of the few things you can edit after you’ve submitted your
application for ESTA, so it is not a problem if you do not have those details when you submit
your application. You don’t need to provide your entire itinerary if you are planning a road
trip or if your trip isn’t fully planned out yet.
Read moreDo I need to apply for ESTA if I have a stop-over in the United States?
Yes, even if your final destination is not the United States and you’re stopping at an airport in
the U.S. for just an hour or two, you will still need to get an ESTA authorisation.
You may not even be able to board your flight if you do not have a valid ESTA, as your airline will
request this before your departure. This is to make sure that Border Security know exactly who is
permitted to enter the U.S. at that particular period of time. There are no transit areas in the
U.S. and you are in American territory from the moment you land, therefore must have an ESTA
authorization for entering the country, regardless of how short your stop is.
Read moreDo I need to apply for an ESTA application if my flight passes through U.S. airspace?
No. As long as the plane you are on is not landing in any continental
United States territory, you
do not require any ESTA authorisation (or visa)
as you won’t be passing through U.S. customs and
immigration or setting foot on U.S. soil. This rule generally applies to flying through any
nation’s airspace. The only time you would need an ESTA
is if you were landing on U.S. soil, even if it’s just for a stop-over.
You can have a look at this page for more information on stop-overs.
Read moreDo I need to print and bring my ESTA to the airport?
How can I check my ESTA application if the application number doesn’t exist anymore?
Once your ESTA permit has expired, you will not be able to check
it and the number will no longer
exist, therefore you will have to
apply for a new ESTA authorisation. This means you will have to fill in the form once again and you will have to repay the fee.
If however, you have just forgotten your application number, that’s not a problem at all. You
can retrieve your application by using some of the other
information that you submitted on the
form. When you are checking the status of an individual application
and cannot remember your
application number, visit the government website and click on
"Check Individual Status",located
at the bottom of the page under "Check Existing Application".
Once you click that, select the
"I do not know the Application Number" option and there you will
just need to write your passport
number, date of birth, family name, first name, and country of citizenship.
Read moreHow can I check my ESTA is still valid?
You can check the status of your ESTA application at any time. Visit the governmental website,
click on the "Check Existing Application" option, which will take you down to the "Returning
Applicants Check ESTA Status" section.
From here, you click either "Check Individual Status" or "Check Group Status", depending on the
type of ESTA form you wish to check. If you are checking your individual status, fill in
the application number that is unique to your application, along with your passport
number and date of birth. If you do not know your application number, click on the
"I Do Not Know My Application Number" option and you can access your application by
providing other details, including passport
number, date of birth, family name, first (given) name, and country of citizenship.
Read moreHow is ESTA checked?
When you
submit your ESTA application, the form and its information are stored on a
secure database of the U.S. government, and the border authorities will have access to this information electronically.
Read moreHow long is my data stored?
Your ESTA application data remains active for the amount of time that
your approved ESTA is valid,
or until your passport expires, whichever date comes first.
The Department of Homeland Security then
keeps this information for a further year, after which it is archived for 12 years. The information
is archived for that period of time in order to allow national security or law enforcement to be
able to access the data in case of any potential investigation. Archived information can only be
accessed by a very limited number of officials.
Read moreHow secure is my data?
The ESTA websiteoperates under the rules and regulations that are outlined in the
United States Privacy Act
insure the privacy of your information. In fact, the U.S. Code § 552a -
"Records maintained on individuals" states the following regarding the
conditions of disclosure:
"No agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of
communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or
with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains."
Read moreI forgot my Group Identification number. How can I log in to check my status?
If you do not remember your group identification number,
there are a couple of ways you can
retrieve the number. One option is to get in touch with us to retrieve your
group identification number
here.
Alternatively, the identification number can be found in the email that is sent to you when you
first
apply for the group ESTA application. The email is sent out to the email address that was used
to register the group with. So it is best to check your inbox to see if you still have the email.
Bear in mind that it’s always a good idea to keep a record of details like this - either in your
inbox, saved to your device/backup cloud, or as a printed out copy stored in a safe location.
Read moreWhat is the difference between ESTA and the US visa?
What happens if your ESTA expires while you are in the USA?
If you are in the US and your ESTA expires then it is not an issue, as your ESTA must
only be valid when you are entering the border of the US. This is when you will get
checked by the border control authorities, so when you are returning to the UK or wherever
else, there is no requirement to have a valid ESTA.
Read moreHow Long Does an ESTA Last?
An ESTA allows citizens from countries within the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to visit
the United States for business or tourism purposes without needing to obtain a visa. Currently
there are 40 members of the Visa Waiver Program, with the Department of Homeland Security
constantly reviewing the countries admitted into the VWP.
Read moreHow Long Does It Take for ESTA Approval?
When somebody applies for an ESTA it is recommended that they give at least 72 hours
prior to their intended travel time when applying. However, the processing time for an ESTA can
vary considerably, with some taking just a few minutes to process, whilst others can take a few
days.
Read moreIs my ESTA still valid?
You can check the
status of your ESTA
at any time. You can contact us at any time to check on its
status. If it has been less than two years since you applied, and your passport is still valid,
then your ESTA should be valid too.
Read moreMy ESTA application expires during my trip. Does it have to be valid the whole time I’m in the U.S?
Your ESTA authorisation needs to be valid for when you enter the U.S. and will
allow you to stay within U.S. territory for up to 90 days from when you land. Therefore, it is okay
if your ESTA does not remain not valid throughout your
stay in the United States
as long as you do not overstay the limit of 90 days.
Read moreWhy was my ESTA application denied?
There could be a number of reasons why your ESTA application was denied. Here are some of the more
common reasons why your application might have been given a ‘Travel Not Authorised’ response...
Read moreWhat are APC kiosks?
Automated Passport Control (APC) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that makes
the entry process for American, Canadian, and
eligible Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers
easier by providing an automated process through the CBP’s Primary Inspection area.
Read moreWhat do the responses mean for my ESTA application?
There are three responses that you can get once you retrieve your ESTA application, as
listed below:
- Authorisation Pending: This means that your application has been received, but it has not been decided whether to authorize or reject it yet. It can take up to 72 hours for a decision to be made on an application, so check back during or after the next three days to see if there has been an update on your ESTA approval.
- Authorisation Approved: If you receive this response, this means that your application has now been fully processed and accepted. Once you receive this response you can go on your trip to the U.S. with full permission from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Travel Not Authorised: If you receive this response, then this means that your application was reviewed and rejected. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not need to disclose their rationale for rejecting your application, but there are a number of reasons why an ESTA application could have been rejected, just click here to find out more.
What does it mean if one of the group requests is "pending"?
It could be the case that one of the applications in the group is still processing. You can check
the individual applications by searching for the details individually. To do that you would need
the passport numbers, dates of birth, full names and nationalities of all the people in your group.
If you have all that information at hand, then you can check the status of the people in your
group individually.
Read moreWhat if my information has changed since applying for ESTA?
You might be able to edit the information on your ESTA form depending on what the change is and
also depending on whether you have submitted and paid for your application. Before payment, you
can amend all of the details within the application, but after payment has been made and the
application has been submitted, you can only edit non-biographical information, such as your:
- email address
- phone number
- flight details
- city of embarkation
- address you’re going to be at in the United States (if you are going to different places in the U.S., just make sure you write the first address you will be staying at).
What information does ESTA need?
When applying for an ESTA, the information provided will
help the department of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cross check your information
with no-fly and criminal databases. This is done in order to prevent individuals who might
pose a threat to national security from entering the United States.
Read moreWhat is ESTA?
An ESTA stands for "Electronic System for Travel Authorization" and is a system
introduced by the U.S. Government to improve travel security in relation to
persons entering the U.S borders. An ESTA
involves providing information that will be assessed to decide whether the applicant is eligible to
travel to the USA without the requirement for a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program
(VWP).
Read moreWhat is the I-94 form?
Form I-94, also known as the Arrival-Departure Record Card,
is a form used by the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) in order to keep track of the arrival and departure to and from the
United States or people who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Read moreWhat is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program administered by the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
which allows citizens of specific countries (to see the full list of countries,
click here) to travel to the U.S. under certain conditions without the need to obtain a visa.
Read moreWhen must I submit a new ESTA application?
You can
submit a new ESTA application any time you like, even if you currently have an active ESTA authorisation.
There are also some circumstances when
you will have to submit a new one. Here are a couple of reasons why you would need to submit
a new one:
- If you have already submitted your application but have made a mistake in one or more details relating to your biographical information, such as if you’ve made an error on your name, date of birth, passport number, etc.
- Answering one of the eligibility questions incorrectly will also require a new ESTA application, but if you chose "yes" on one of the eligibility questions in error, then it would be best to contact CBP directly either by calling them or sending them an email. Contact information is available at the bottom of the page on the ESTA website. This information is needed to determine your authorisation, so any changes mean you’ll need a whole new application. There are some details, however, that you can change when you check your ESTA status, such as your email address, telephone number and the address you are staying at in the U.S.
When should I apply for ESTA?
You can apply for ESTA any time you like but the
U.S. government generally recommends people
to apply for ESTA 72 hours before their trip. Even though an ESTA can take
just minutes or even
seconds to be approved, there are some applications that can take the full 72 hours to process.
These tend to be applications where the information is unclear or contains mistakes, so make
sure to be clear and accurate when filling out your application to avoid delays or paying
for a second application.
Read moreWhich are the Visa Waiver countries for the USA?
At present, to be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must be a citizen of a country
that has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the
Secretary of State, as a “program country”. Note that if you are a permanent resident of a program
country but are not a citizen, then you do not qualify for the visa waiver.
Currently there are 40 countries that meet the criteria of Section 217(c) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (Title 8 U.S.C § 1187), which includes passport security, a non-immigrant
visa refusal rate of 3% or less, and ongoing compliance with the immigration law of the U.S.
Read moreWho can access the data on my ESTA application?
Generally, your application and information are only accessed by government officials on a
"need to know" basis. The information on your ESTA application
is stored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and they control the database with any
information collected by applications.
Read moreWhy isn’t my ESTA valid for 2 years?
If you have obtained your ESTA authorisation, but your
passport is due to expire before the end of the 2-year validity period, then your ESTA
will expire automatically with the expiration of your passport. So, once you get your new passport,
you will need to apply for your new ESTA
, and
repay the fee. If you gave your email address when you applied for ESTA, you will receive a notice
when your ESTA is going to expire, which will advise you to go to reapply.
Read moreWill I be informed by email if my application is successful?
No, you will not receive an email notification and you will need to
check the status of your application online.
Read moreWill strikes and delays affect my ESTA application?
If airlines go on strike and your flight is cancelled, this shouldn’t affect your
ESTA application. Once your ESTA is approved it remains valid for 2 years
or until your passport expires, this depends on which one comes first. However,
if your planned travel date is in the last days before your ESTA expires and your
flight gets cancelled, you will need to apply for your ESTA again,
if your current one will not cover your rescheduled flight. Even though this would be
a matter beyond your control, you are required to apply for your ESTA
again and pay the fee
to submit a new ESTA application.
Read moreWill I get an email when my ESTA is approved?
When you apply for an ESTA, you are required to provide a
valid email address because this is
where your application correspondence will be sent to. Usually, you will receive an email
within a few hours, or up to 72 hours after
submitting your application.
You are also able to check on the website for your application status, if you have the
application reference number.
Read moreHow to apply for ESTA
If you are travelling to the US and are from a
country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program
then you will probably need to
apply for an ESTA, unless you have an alternative form of visa to permit you to enter the US.
Applying for an ESTA
is a quick and reasonably easy process but if you have never done it before then you might need
some guidance on the application process.
Read moreHow long does it take to obtain an ESTA?
An ESTA is the
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation
that enables visitors from countries
within the Visa Waiver Program to enter the US. Before planning any trip to the US, travellers
must obtain some form of visa to get permission to enter the US border.
The ESTA is the form of
visa that tourists or business travellers can obtain to allow a stay in the US of up to 90 days.
Read moreHow does ESTA differ from other USA visas?
Any foreign nationals wishing to enter the US must first of all obtain some form of visa that
provides the relevant permission required from the US border control authorities.
Different types of visas are available for different types of reasons
for travelling to the US.
Read moreCan I speed up my ESTA application?
The short answer to this question is no, you cannot fast track an ESTA application.
However, by ensuring that your ESTA application is completed
with all of the correct information, there is a much better chance that it will get processed
quickly and approved. The processing of an ESTA application can take anything from a few minutes
to several days to receive correspondence regarding the application to confirm whether it has
been approved or declined.
Read moreHow Do You Fill Out an ESTA Application?
Filling out an ESTA application is a fairly quick process
but there are some questions and parts of required information that can complicate the
application more if the applicant does not have the information, or is not sure which
information to provide.
Read moreHow Long Does an ESTA Application Take?
One of the key benefits of applying for an ESTA instead
of applying for a US visa is that the processing time is much faster. The whole process
is completed online, which means that the administration elements are much quicker.
Generally, an ESTA application will take less than 72 hours to get processed but
in many cases, it is much quicker than this, even taking a few minutes in some applications.
Read moreWhat Information Is Required for ESTA Application?
The ESTA application is a very short form that you
can complete digitally and you must provide the information for a set of questions that will
determine whether your application is approved or not. Generally, it will only take around
10 minutes to find all of the required information on the application but your application
will be quicker if you have all of the required information to hand.
Read more