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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:
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5
Azandme · 06/08/2023 09:20

You still have time.

Fingers crossed for you!

Changingplace · 06/08/2023 09:20

Simbaiamyourfather · 06/08/2023 09:18

Go to the airport and try and check in. Last time at no point did anyone actually ask to see ours just asked if we had them. But hopefully by the time you get to check in they would have come through 🤞

Same, I’ve never been asked when checking in.

Changingplace · 06/08/2023 09:19

Airline confirmed that they cannot check us in without the approvals!! We would need to be checked in and through security by 3pm to get on the flight.

I’ve never had to show Estas when checking in, been to the US three times - last time was in June this year flying with BA and nobody asked to see them when we checked in, I’ve only been asked going through passport control the other side.

I would still go to the airport, they could coke through any time, fingers crossed for you.

Simbaiamyourfather · 06/08/2023 09:18

Go to the airport and try and check in. Last time at no point did anyone actually ask to see ours just asked if we had them. But hopefully by the time you get to check in they would have come through 🤞

Lamelie · 06/08/2023 09:18

Everything crossed for you. Just keep breathing, head off for the airport. It’ll come en route.

Cigarettesandbooze · 06/08/2023 09:17

Saying a prayer for you x

AllAboardTootToot · 06/08/2023 09:16

Did you do a group application or individual? I find group take much longer!

personally I would apply again individually, what do you have to lose at this point?

notol · 06/08/2023 09:15

Oh I'm crossing my fingers for you OP

FlibbertyGibbitt · 06/08/2023 09:14

My ex took my youngest to New York for a few days, I’d taken youngest to Florida so he had his ESTA. Ex hadn’t done anything and had to apply at the airport, it came through pretty much straight away.

Hoping it’s in its way for you all Op.

foolishone · 06/08/2023 09:14

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 06/08/2023 09:07

BUT DIDN’T GET THE FUCKING VISAS,

ESTAs aren’t visas.

Do you feel better now?

TropicalTrama · 06/08/2023 09:13

Go to the airport, they might come through in time!

Also, they may be more flexible about swapping you to another flight when you’re there in person so worth a shot. It might just so happen that your flight is busy and a later one is quiet. I’ve been offered different flight times to/from the US about a third of the time without even asking e.g. oh you early, do you want to go on the flight leaving in an hour, your flight is overbooked but take the next one and we’ll upgrade you.

Original poster
Acourtof · 06/08/2023 09:10

@DaisyAndDonaldDuck are you kidding me???! Stop freaking preaching.

For your pernickety self I shall change that to “DIDN’T APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME”. Happy?

OP posts:
notimagain · 06/08/2023 09:10

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 06/08/2023 09:07

BUT DIDN’T GET THE FUCKING VISAS,

ESTAs aren’t visas.

We know they aren't but TBH given the context of the thread maybe it's worth cutting some some slack over terminology.

@Acourtof

OP, fingers crossed, hope they come through

Peridot1 · 06/08/2023 09:09

Oh God what a nightmare.

really hope they come through.

Original poster
Acourtof · 06/08/2023 09:07

FUCK

We can’t change the flights as they were booked with Avios points and we won’t get back the £1,400 we spent on taxes. They’re won’t budge on less than 24 hours notice. If we don’t take the original flight today they automatically cancel the return leg.

So we can’t try to get another cheap flight out in a few days. It’s just too expensive to book 4 new flights so late.

That’s it. The lady on the phone was horrible. I was really nice and she just kept saying you should have read the T&Cs when you booked.

We’ve lost thousands. Devastated. I know it’s an entirely first world problem.

We’re going to go to the airport anyway. It’s £140 on taxi there and back, but it’s literally the only chance.

Our DC are happily playing and totally unaware. Shit shit shit

OP posts:
DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 06/08/2023 09:07

BUT DIDN’T GET THE FUCKING VISAS,

ESTAs aren’t visas.

Neonyellowfish · 06/08/2023 09:03

God I feel for you.
We went to Disney last year and in your position I’d be out of my mind.
Really hope they come through for you! Fingers crossed.

BarbaraV · 06/08/2023 09:01

Oh my christ I can feel your panic.

Let's all pray to the visa god for you, and try and get you on that plane, I feel worried for you!

Come on ESTA! Hurry the fuck up.

Plankingplanks · 06/08/2023 09:00

OP I really feel for you. Are you sure you applied using the gov website and not a third party which may take longer?

I recently went to USA and applied for my husband and children's and it took less than 10 mins but obviously that's not the case here.

Don't beat yourself up about it. You'll never do it again.

My friends forgot to get a visa for India and found out the insurance would have covered if they had lost their passports but not if they didn't have a visa. They lost 12k! Hopefully they will let you change the tickets.

Berlinlover · 06/08/2023 09:00

Mine took three days, I’ve no idea why.

indigoemerald · 06/08/2023 09:00

My DH’s ESTA is always approved within the hour, but mine always takes around 24 hours for some reason. The confirmation emails always go to our junk folder too!

foolishone · 06/08/2023 08:53

I would still travel as planned to the airport.
I know someone who applied for theirs at the airport when they realised and it came through.

Maybe just warn the kids that you might need to go another day.

Ilovethewild · 06/08/2023 08:49

Op, you still have time, mine can through within hours recently and friends applied day of travel and they came through. You still have time
fingers crossed for you

GreenwichOrTwicks · 06/08/2023 08:48

ticketstickets · 05/08/2023 23:36

I realised when I tried to check in at Dublin airport that my ESTA was attached to my expired passport and not my new one. Aer Lingus wouldn't let me check in without it. I quickly did it and it came within approx 1 hour and I made my flight. :)

Wow!!!!!!!!

LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 06/08/2023 08:46

No offence OP but the ESTA application is a bit of a mare. Are you sure everything was filled in as much as possible with correct information. I would personally apply again one at a time. Either way carry on as normal this morning. It’s very likely they’ll come before 3pm. Everything crossed for you.