Will I get an email when my ESTA is approved? - ESTAForm.org

Will I get an email when my ESTA is approved?

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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.
There are three different types of status for your ESTA application , which are:
Authorization pending – This means that your ESTA application is still being processed and does not have an outcome yet. The status could be pending for up to 72 hours whilst the US authorities screen you and check the information that you have provided.
Authorization granted – This means that your application has been approved and your ESTA will be valid from this date. The ESTA will be electronically linked to your passport and will be valid for two years, or until the passport expires (whichever date comes sooner).
Travel not authorized – If you receive this response then your ESTA has been declined. There could be several different reasons for this, such as medical history details, any criminal convictions or if you violated the conditions of the ESTA on a previous trip to the US. There may still be a possibility of obtaining a US visa instead of an ESTA so that you can still visit the US.

Why has my ESTA been refused?

If there has been an error on your declined application, then you can re-apply and pay the application fee again , providing the correct information. Sometimes, an error such as the wrong passport number could lead to your application getting declined.
If you do not match the required criteria for an ESTA i.e. you are not a citizen of a country in the VWP, or your visit is for longer than 90 days, this could be the reason your ESTA gets declined. Also, if you are intending to travel to the US for purposes other than business or tourism, such as studying or working in the US, then the ESTA does not permit these purposes of travel and you would need to apply for the relevant US visa.

When should I apply for ESTA?

For many people, their ESTA will be accepted within just a few hours and they will be able to visit the US straight away. However, if you want to provide enough time to ensure that you are able to apply for a visa, should your ESTA be declined, then you should apply a few months before you intend to travel to the US.
To get a US visa, you would need to attend an interview at the US embassy and the processing time is usually at least a few weeks, so you need to leave adequate time for this. If you are concerned that you may not be able to get your ESTA approved, it is recommended that you do not book flights or accommodation until you have arranged your travel authorization, either through an ESTA or a US visa.
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Written by Abisola Fikayomi

Abisola is an accomplished writer interested in US Travel, immigration, passports and visas. She’s passionate about exploring new places and cultures and willing to share her experiences, expertize and findings with others. That is her primary drive for specialising in this industry.

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