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.

When you check the status, you may see the following messages:

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If you see this status message then it means that your ESTA is no longer valid and you will need to apply for a new travel authorization using the same method of completing the online ESTA form.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

You will also need to apply for a new ESTA if you experience a change in:

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.

Back to all FAQ

Is my ESTA still valid?

ESTA Application Not Found

ESTA Application Expired

ESTA Application Pending

ESTA Authorization Approved

ESTA Application Not Authorized

How long is ESTA valid for?

Related FAQs

Legal

Legal

Payments Processed By:

Is my ESTA still valid?

ESTA Application Not Found

ESTA Application Expired

ESTA Application Pending

ESTA Authorization Approved

ESTA Application Not Authorized

How long is ESTA valid for?

Related FAQs

What Information Is Required for ESTA Application?

What does it mean if one of the group requests is "pending"?

Can ESTA be extended?