How long for ESTA approval?

@Choux

I think you’re effectively talking to the hand. In some jobs the degree of complacency on show would get you fired, but this is social means so…….

@Choux Again, no point booking the flights and getting the insurance if you don’t have a valid ESTA.

An ESTA is the most important thing because you aren’t getting into the country without it. It’s certainly not a low priority.

@DaisyAndDonaldDuck and still the cherubs want to wear their crowns 👑

The OP booked her flights using Avios points. Am sure to get the dates they wanted they had to pounce on the flights as soon as they saw them and they booked months ago. You then get insurance in place asap in case there is a need to cancel or some other event occurs but the ESTA - which we saw takes a few hours to come through goes lower down the priority list.

Then regular life takes over : work, kids, family, perhaps a few other events like moving house, illness or death of a parent, remortgaging or other money concerns, friends having problems and you want to be there for them and hopefully a bit of leisure time and fun too.

Suddenly you realise the day before travel that you haven't got an ESTA yet. That's cutting it fine and stressful but it came through in time. Ask any check in desk operator and I bet they see invalid passports and missing ESTAs on an almost daily basis.

Normal organised intelligent people forget things occasionally when busy and dealing with life. What I find abnormal are people coming on here to say they would never forget anything as if they are some superior beings when actually you are probably just not as busy as the people who do forget things. (as evidenced by the fact that you and a couple of others have the time to come on here and repeatedly berate the OP and anyone else who has been forgetful and ended up in a tight spot)

To err is human

There but for the grace of god go i

For your children's sake I’m glad you got there.

This isn’t something that should have been able to be forgotten because it should have been done before you booked.

This will thankfully serve as a lesson to others.

extra special amazing sanctimonious cherub darlings!
Well done OP, so glad you got there ok. Enjoy yourselves!

So happy everything has worked out for you - have an amazing time 🎢

I've never been so stressed reading a MN post ! So glad I only found it this morning haha! I wooped when I read approved!

Enjoy your holiday OP! I know that dread in your stomach feeling, its horrid! You deserve a bloody big cocktail 🍹

I am so glad this is sorted, had a similar sinking stomach feeling when, at the tail end of covid, having concentrated on getting all the covid admin done, was asked to see proof of esta. Had done it months ago, couldn't find anything to do with it and search wouldn't work. Luckily it did eventually and it was approved but I still feel stressed when I think of that moment!!

Thrilled for you. Enjoy!

This happened to me. I didn’t want to say anything until the thread had a happy ending. My family were travelling to Canada to see grandparents. We’d been several times before and hasn’t realised they introduced The ETA since the last time we’d been. I realised a couple of days before we traveled. Three out of four came straight back, but one of my daughters didn’t come until about six weeks later. We ended up having a haven camping holiday instead. :(

@Scalottia miss perfect aren't you .

Right…

I do always sort of side eye these situations but then instantly mentally slap myself and say it could happen to anyone at any time. I’m damn near neurotic when it comes to travel documents and requirements but know I’m one oversight away from being in the same situation.

Traveling during Covid was my own special hell with different testing and vaccine requirements between different countries.

I am so glad this worked out! Had my fingers crossed all day for you. Now relax and enjoy.

Weird that you've taken this as a personal insult. Are you seriously saying that a stranger forgetting something for a holiday you're not invited on has 'done your head in'? 😄

Pride comes before a fall.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything.

Because I don't understand how some adults can't manage this very basic stuff especially for a 'holiday of a lifetime'. I can't stand disorganised people, they do my head in. That's the point of my comment, and I am entitled my opinion on an open and public forum. Does this answer your question?

Just for reference it's the duty of the flyer, not the airline to make sure you have the correct visa,m

Oh my gosh op, I’m so relieved and happy for you! 😅 Have a fabulous time.

Ahh Bless you, I had to scroll through to check for a happy outcome before I told you my DD went on a gap year passing through a NY connection, never even left the airport so didn't know she needed an Esta, nowhere on the booking line suggested it. First we heard was when they pulled her put of the check -in line at the airport.

They said usually Estas come through either instantly, or 24 hours later. Rarely anything in between.

She missed her flight, luckily booked onto one the next day but nobody at the airport told us that was even possible until checki in closed, leaving a sobbing dd thinking she had lost her life savings on a trip she couldn't go on.

One of the most stressful things we've ever done.

OP or her DH cocked up. She asked for advice and support, and got it. Several other people will have read this thread and gone straight to apply for their ESTAs.

What exactly is the point of your comment other than to crow about your infallibility?

We’ve just double checked Canada but are arriving by land (from USA) so don’t need. Always worth checking.

NB I don't, apparently - and didn't when I visited before - but I certainly had a moment's wobble!

I just have been. This thread made me realize I likely need a Canadian ETA to visit the horseshoe falls at Niagara.

I have two weeks to sort it, but until OP posted this thread it simply never occurred to me. Very glad I happened upon this thread.

I’m not even going to try to give an exhaustive list of reasons.

What I do know is nobody is infallible and anybody who thinks they are so smart they’ll never foul up on passports/ESTAs/Visas/inoculation requirements and whatever else is required is probably going to be in for a shock at some point.