Is 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. If you already applied for ESTA, you can
check the validity of your ESTA,
so you will be sure if it's valid while travelling or before booking your flights.
ESTA Application Not Found
If you check the status of your ESTA application you get the message to say Application Not Found
then this is likely to be due to incorrect information being supplied in the original ESTA application
form. It could also mean that there was a problem with submitting the application, for example, if
the internet connection dropped off as you were submitting the form. Or the payment for the
application fee may have not gone through, so the application could not be processed.
ESTA Application Expired
If you see this status message then it means that your ESTA is no longer valid and you will need
to apply for a new travel authorization using the same method of completing the online ESTA form.
It is not possible to renew an ESTA or transfer it from one passport to another, you must complete
the online application again.
ESTA Application Pending
When you get this message, it means that it is in the process up being reviewed by the CBP.
You simply need to wait a bit longer to get the final status of your application. It usually
takes up to 72 hours for your application to get processed, so wait at least this amount of time
before taking further action.
ESTA Authorization Approved
If you check your ESTA status and it says Authorization Approved then your application has
been processed and you now have a valid ESTA to travel to the US with. You should also be able
to see your expiry date so that you know how long it will be valid for. You should be aware that
although the ESTA has been approved, it is still possible for the Customs and Border Protection
agents to revoke it, should they see fit and refuse entry into the US.
ESTA Application Not Authorized
If your ESTA status says Application Not Authorized then this means your application has been
reviewed and refused. There could be a number of reasons for this and if you have answered Yes
to any of the eligibility questions then it is likely to be due to this. If you are deemed to
pose a security or health threat in any way then the authorities will not issue you with
travel authorization.
There are some circumstances where you might be refused an ESTA but you could still apply
for a B-2 Tourist visa and still visit the US. It will depend on the reason that your ESTA
has been refused, as any serious criminal convictions or infectious health conditions will
usually result in a declined visa application.
If you think that you made a mistake on your ESTA application that has resulted in the
application being refused then you may be able to amend the mistake on the form, or
submit another ESTA application 10 days later.
How long is ESTA valid for?
Your ESTA authorisation will run out two years from the date on which it was authorised, or when your
passport expires, whichever is the sooner date. ESTA does not renew itself automatically, irrespective
of whether you actually visit the USA or not at any point during the two-year period.
When the two-year period ends, or your passport expires, you will need to apply for a new ESTA
yourself, following the same procedures as you did the first time you applied for ESTA
via the website- Legal name
- Gender
- Citizenship
- Or other alteration to your biographical information
Other changes can be updated to your application at any time. However, if your status or any new
information about you compromises your
eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program, then you will not be able
to apply for ESTA again.
It is important that your ESTA is valid on the date that you are entering the US, although it
does not matter if it expires whilst you are in the US, as long as you do not stay longer than
the 90 days limit. Confirmation of this is available on the US Customs and Border Protection website.
While your ESTA is valid, you are able to visit the US multiple times using the same ESTA, unless
your passport expires. Your ESTA can be used to visit any area of the US, even if you want to
visit multiple states during the same visit, as long as you do not overstay the 90 day limit.