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Original poster

How long for ESTA approval?

434 replies

Acourtof · 05/08/2023 17:58

Starting to panic!! We’re flying to the US tomorrow afternoon and I only just remembered that we all need ESTAs 🤦🏼‍♀️

Submitted applications online. Website says up to 72 hours to come through. We’ve got 24 hours…

DH and I have travelled to the US several times and never had an issue. Our young DC have never been to the US, so I’m worried that it will need extra time for a first application.

Any comfort please on your own recent ESTA timelines, especially for DC? Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Changingplace · 06/08/2023 10:45

Acourtof · 06/08/2023 10:43

Mine is approved. 7 year old is approved!!! Just our 5 year still pending

Oh my goodness, I’ve never been so panicked

Hurrah!! I’m sure the final one will arrive any moment, fear a relief 😅

Have a wonderful holiday x

everywherebear · 06/08/2023 10:45

I’ve been madly refreshing this all morning keeping my fingers crossed for you, so pleased it’s nearly sorted!!

Notgnillew · 06/08/2023 10:45

Oh thank God!!!!

Choux · 06/08/2023 10:44

Now I keep hitting refresh waiting to see if the 5 yr old has their approval!!!!

Clefable · 06/08/2023 10:44

Acourtof · 06/08/2023 10:43

Mine is approved. 7 year old is approved!!! Just our 5 year still pending

Oh my goodness, I’ve never been so panicked

Yes!!!! Did you redo or did they just come through? Everything crossed 5yo's is on the way.

Curiosity101 · 06/08/2023 10:43

🥳🥳🥳

alittleadvicepls · 06/08/2023 10:43

I’d go to the airport and wait at check-in. Yours might come through last minute and they’ll quickly check you in before closing. This happened to me a few years ago but the airport staff was surprisingly used to it.

Original poster
Acourtof · 06/08/2023 10:43

Mine is approved. 7 year old is approved!!! Just our 5 year still pending

Oh my goodness, I’ve never been so panicked

OP posts:
Choux · 06/08/2023 10:42

Acourtof · 06/08/2023 10:39

DH’s is approved!!!!!!

Brilliant news. Hope there is now a deluge of approvals.

Curiosity101 · 06/08/2023 10:42

So happy for you! Hopefully the others are on their way too!

Did you reapply or is this the original application?

So unbelievably stressful. I do feel for you OP, we all make mistakes, I'm really hoping this all comes through for you. 🤞🤞🤞

GoingGoingUp · 06/08/2023 10:42

Wooo! One down, three to go! Hopefully that means your application is now being dealt with!

Ilovethewild · 06/08/2023 10:42

Fabulous news op, yours and kids will be through v soon, get your selves on route to your holiday 😁

Norma27 · 06/08/2023 10:41

Fingers crossed for you the others are approved in time too.

Choux · 06/08/2023 10:41

LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 06/08/2023 10:36

OP tell us if you’re applying again!!!!!

I know you mean well but OP's priorities will be dealing with the stress, handling her children's excitement/ sadness and hopefully filling in four new ESTA applications and then hitting refresh constantly on her apps and emails.

Updating us is not a priority.

Paq · 06/08/2023 10:40

Hurray!

Oysterbabe · 06/08/2023 10:40

Amazing!!!! I'm so pleased for you.

Original poster
Acourtof · 06/08/2023 10:39

DH’s is approved!!!!!!

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 06/08/2023 10:39

OP did the person you spoke to on the US tell you the system itself was ok?

We had to cancel a holiday about 3 years ago because the system was down for about 5 days.

LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 06/08/2023 10:36

OP tell us if you’re applying again!!!!!

MoralOrLegal · 06/08/2023 10:36

I'm sorry to bring bad news, but @Jellycat43's link seems to be to a third-party site. All the official ones end in .gov

Good luck, OP, really hoping for a positive update!

MrsPositivity1 · 06/08/2023 10:31

Mine came through in about 10 mins

megansmarkle · 06/08/2023 10:30

OP I really hope you get the visa xxxx

Ljc1985 · 06/08/2023 10:30

I'm keeping everything crossed for you! Come on system update and approve them !

notimagain · 06/08/2023 10:30

@Jellycat43

Good link..and since the idea of "just boarding" and sorting it out on arrival in the US has been floated yet again..from that same link:

" However, you do not need to print or save this digitally, as the US immigration authorities and your airline will be able to see from your passport data whether you have a valid ESTA. The airline will already check during check-in whether you have a valid travel authorisation. Is this not the case? Then you will not be allowed to board the plane.

Peridot1 · 06/08/2023 10:28

@Acourtof have you seen @Jellycat43 post about applying for an urgent ESTA?

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