For how long is my ESTA valid?

ESTA applicants should always check the status of their ESTA before planning to travel. You need to check the status to obtain your ESTA authorization number and ESTA expiration date. Always check the status FIRST instead of submitting a new application, as a new application costs money and may revoke or overwrite your current ESTA. Check your ESTA validity here.

Once your ESTA is authorized, it is good for two years from the date of the authorization unless it is revoked or your passport expires during that two year period.

Your travel authorization will be revoked the same date your passport expires if your passport expires in the two year authorization period.

Your ESTA may also be overwritten or revoked if you submit a NEW ESTA application in that two year time period.

How do I check and see if my ESTA is still valid?

To check and see if your ESTA is still valid click here to check your ESTA validity before you travel to the United States of America.

Fill out the short online form which includes entering info from your passport. You will receive Your ESTA status. You will also receive an authorization number and ESTA expiration date if your application is still valid. See the 5 Possible ESTA statuses below.

5 Possible ESTA status responses what they mean:

1. ESTA Authorization Approved

If you receive the status that your ESTA authorization is approved that’s is good news because it means you are authorized to travel to the United States. Write down or print out your ESTA expiration date and ESTA application number. Be sure your ESTA application does not expire before you plan to travel to the United States.

It is also recommended that you check your ESTA validity the day you plan to leave for the United States. It is recommended you check the ESTA validity the day of travel because the application may be revoked by Customs and Border Protection at any time.

2. ESTA Application Pending

If you receive a status that your ESTA application is pending, it is likely that it was submitted recently and is still being reviewed. Remember, an ESTA application may take up to two weeks to be processed.

Please check your ESTA validity again in 72 hours to find out if it has been approved or not.

Remember, it is a good idea to submit your ESTA application at least two weeks in advance of your planned travel because they may take up to two weeks to process.

3. ESTA Application Expired

If you receive the status that your ESTA application has expired, you need to apply for a new ESTA authorization to travel.

For this status, you may submit a new ESTA application if you hold a passport from an ESTA eligible country.

You can apply for a new ESTA here.

Unfortunately, there is no way to renew an ESTA authorization, you can only apply for a new one once your ESTA authorization has expired.

4. ESTA Application Not Authorized

If you receive the status “ESTA application not authorized” it means you are not eligible to travel to the United States of America under the Visa Waiver Program.

Note: The agency that oversees the ESTA is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol will not inform travellers whose applications are not approved why they are not approved.

Possible reasons an application may not be authorized is if the applicant overstayed their visa on a previous trip, or they entered incorrect information on their ESTA application. See “What if I make a mistake on my ESTA application” below to find out what to do if you have submitted incorrect info on your application.

You still may be able to travel to the United States using a B-2 Tourist Visa or another type of Visa. To get more information and apply for a US Visa click the following link https://usaestaonline.com/pages/tourist-visa

5. ESTA Application Not Found

If your ESTA application is not found, the most likely cause is the applicant entered incorrect information on their application or they entered the information incorrectly on the validity check form.  Recheck the biographic information you entered and resubmit the form.

If the information was entered incorrectly on the original ESTA application there is no link made between your correct biographic information and what was actually entered on the application, therefore a match cannot be found.

Finally, the ESTA application Not Found status may be given if there is no current or prior ESTA application submitted.

For this status, you may submit a new ESTA application if you hold a passport from an ESTA eligible country. You can apply for a new ESTA here.

What if I make a mistake on my ESTA application?

If you enter incorrect information on your ESTA application you can get information on updating or correcting that by reading this article from the ESTA Information centre.  

How do I apply for ESTA?

If you are eligible for ESTA you have to apply for travel authorization only by submitting a simple ESTA online form.

From the moment of submitting your application, it usually takes a few days to review it. However, in some cases, it can take up to two weeks until your application is reviewed and the final answer is given.

After your application is reviewed you will receive information about the status of your ESTA.

In some cases your application maybe denied and therefore you will not be granted an ESTA.

However, in most cases, applications receive a positive answer stating that their applications has been successful and that they can now enjoy Visa-free travel to the USA. From this moment the ESTA is valid for two years.

It is also important to keep in mind that an ESTA can only be used and therefore is valid if the applicant's passport is valid as well. This means that after receiving your ESTA it will be only valid until your passport expires if that comes before the two year ESTA validity period ends.