Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
NotThisWeekSatan · 06/08/2023 08:43

Basketballqueen · 06/08/2023 08:34

Don’t beat yourself up. Your DP could have thought of it too. People
miss flights all the times for all sorts of reasons… you might still get lucky. Go for it.

Your DP could have thought of it too.

This is so true. Don’t be too hard on yourself OP. There’s a massive mental load involved in going away.

As a natural optimist my inclination would be to not cancel/move anything until as late as possible hoping it will come through - 1pm is a good few hours off - but the sensible thing is probably to speak to BA asap about potential flight swaps.

Wishing you lots of luck.

bevelino · 06/08/2023 08:35

Acourtof · 06/08/2023 06:49

I’m on the phone to the only ESTA helpline I could find🤞

I have seen travellers do the application at the airport where they have forgotten to do it. Instant decision.

FindMeAWagonPlease · 06/08/2023 08:34

Mine was within an hour but I’ve had one before and also been to an embassy interview due to where I worked (countries)

Kids came within 24 hours, but my partners took a while (he’d been working abroad so we think that is why as he’s never done the embassy interview).

I would speak to BA now and see what the options are.

Personally I would go with your DH plan and try and change flights rather that lose flights if you turn up and they don’t come through.

Basketballqueen · 06/08/2023 08:34

Don’t beat yourself up. Your DP could have thought of it too. People
miss flights all the times for all sorts of reasons… you might still get lucky. Go for it.

ginny93 · 06/08/2023 08:31

That's so annoying OP - the one time you really want it to come through in a couple of hours! Can you wait until the other department at the airline opens before looking to move your flight? At least that way you'll know what it's going to cost. ime points redemptions are a bit more flexible, so if you've found availability to transfer to another flight hopefully there won't be much cost involved. Keeping my fingers crossed that it all comes through in the next few minutes!

Original poster
Acourtof · 06/08/2023 08:26

Still all pending.

I’ve checked the details. Definitely correct website, correct information. Payment details all confirmed.

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 need to call them back again in 4 mins, as it’s an air mile redemption booking and connecting flight. So they have seat availability for Tuesday afternoon, but customer service guy couldn’t confirm the cost as it’s a different department that starts later on a Sunday.

Crying!! This is such a big fuck up. We’ve got new sandals, suncream, toothpaste. I wrote a packing list, did a shop, ordered currency, bought snacks for the plane, found our plug adapters. BUT DIDN’T GET THE FUCKING VISAS, which are the most important part.

Idiot idiot idiot 😭

Taxi picking us up at 1pm.

OP posts:
gogomoto · 06/08/2023 08:16

About 12 hours when I did mine

AxolotlEars · 06/08/2023 08:11

Less than 24 hours 6 months ago

ThePoetsWife · 06/08/2023 08:06

Did you use the official ESTA website?

notimagain · 06/08/2023 08:02

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:56

@widowtwankywashroom you actually think a airport staff worker in the Uk have access to a USA government system?

Selective access to certain systems for selective agencies/companies? Of course they do.

The airlines get clobbered with a fine and are responsible for repatriating any passenger who arrives in the US without an ESTA/VISA.

As a result those carriers that serve the US do have the means of checking VISAs/ESTAs prior to boarding.

widowtwankywashroom · 06/08/2023 08:01

Come on OP any update

LeafHunter · 06/08/2023 08:01

Mine too about an hour but DHs took a bit longer than 24hrs.

widowtwankywashroom · 06/08/2023 07:58

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:56

@widowtwankywashroom you actually think a airport staff worker in the Uk have access to a USA government system?

On reflection I don't know. I had mine printed off last time I went and I am sure Virgin said they wouldn't let us fly without one,.

dizzygirl1 · 06/08/2023 07:57

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:55

@dizzygirl1 yea you can, they don't have access to the us system, they may ask if you have one in which case say yes. It's only when you are actually in the USA that they check.

You need to note the MANY threads on many forums about how people can't be checked in or fly as they don't have a valid ESTA.

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:56

@widowtwankywashroom you actually think a airport staff worker in the Uk have access to a USA government system?

widowtwankywashroom · 06/08/2023 07:55

Oh bloody hell OP hope it comes through soon

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:55

@dizzygirl1 yea you can, they don't have access to the us system, they may ask if you have one in which case say yes. It's only when you are actually in the USA that they check.

widowtwankywashroom · 06/08/2023 07:54

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:50

@Acourtof I would risk it, by the time you land and go to customs it should have come through.

rubbish advice, they are checked on departure, you will not be allowed to board without one

dizzygirl1 · 06/08/2023 07:52

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:50

@Acourtof I would risk it, by the time you land and go to customs it should have come through.

You can't be checked in or fly without a valid ESTA. It's needed when they get to the UK airport not the US.

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:50

@Acourtof I would risk it, by the time you land and go to customs it should have come through.

totheclouds · 06/08/2023 07:50

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 06/08/2023 07:24

You should apply for your ESTAs before you book your actual holiday.

Majority of the time they are accepted, but sometimes if a name is too similar to one on a no fly list they can be declined and you would need to apply for a visa (which takes months).

Joey : You want my advice?

Ross : Yes, please! Joey

Joey : You're not gonna like it.

Ross: That's ok

Joey: You got married too fast

Ross: That's not advice

Joey: I told ya

Emmacb82 · 06/08/2023 07:45

Mine have always been pretty instant, I really hope they do come through in time. It’s a hard call to make because yes you could go to the airport but I think you may have to start preparing your children for the worst. They will be devastated to get to the airport and then be told they can’t go. Keeping everything crossed for you

Poppyblush · 06/08/2023 07:44

Go to airport… worth the risk

MarshmallowsOnToast · 06/08/2023 07:43

OneCup · 06/08/2023 07:31

Ours took a good couple of days I'm afraid but I can see we are the exception rather than the rule. I hope you get yours soon.

Are ESTAS checked at the point of leaving or only upon arriving?

Required upon entry I'm afraid!

Poppyblush · 06/08/2023 07:43

Are you sure you filled them out correctly? If so, they will, should, come through any minute…