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
BiteyShark · 06/08/2023 13:48

Never updated the address field and never had a problem through immigration although one boarder control person looked at me like I was crazy when I said I was driving from LA and dropping the car back in New York 10 days later 😁

Qilin · 06/08/2023 13:47

But they never check the address and it remains valid regales of whether you change that address or not,

When checking ours were still valid earlier I noticed they all still have the New York address on. Dd is currently in Florida, having flown there back in June, and hers still says New York.

Aposterhasnoname · 06/08/2023 13:45

Oh thank fuck for that. Enjoy your holiday OP.

Changingplace · 06/08/2023 13:39

DontCallMeBaby · 06/08/2023 13:20

Wow this moved on a lot since it started! What a rollercoaster (not the fun kind 😄).

For the smartarses who say you should apply before booking your holiday - what do you put in the US contact and address details then? Totally stupid and pointless fields given they’re valid for two years, but you DO need to fill them in.

The address field isn’t pointless- you update it for your next trip if you travel to the US more than once on the same Esta :)

SagittariusDwarf · 06/08/2023 13:38

JudgeJ · 06/08/2023 13:24

Is the Cuba restriction still in place, I thought the US had eased rules regarding Cuba?

Show quote history

It's been reduced but it's not gone completely. If you've been to Cuba since early 2021 the ESTA isn't valid and you need to do a proper visa application to go to the US. They changed it in around February this year (after I had spent ages on a US visa application, having been to Cuba in 2012... Luckily I hadn't got round to paying for the visa. Went to the US in May, totally fine with an ESTA.

Changingplace · 06/08/2023 13:37

BiteyShark · 06/08/2023 13:31

I am sure we didn't put in any because they are optional.

We did ours last year for this years holiday and at the time we didn't have any hotels booked.

If I remember correctly you do have to do an additional advanced passenger information prior to flying with airline where you DO have to give the first nights address but that it at checkin time.

Show quote history

You go back into the approved Esta and update the hotel address details, I’ve done that because we’ve been to the states more than once on the same Esta.

Not sure whether it’s optional but tbh the last thing I want to be dealing with is anyone on immigration spotting that some details aren’t correct and getting loads of questions.

EvilElsa · 06/08/2023 13:35

Knew it would be ok! So happy for you OP. Have an absolutely brilliant (and stress free) holiday. It will be something you laugh about in years to come and at least you know you will never do it again!!!

BiteyShark · 06/08/2023 13:31

DontCallMeBaby · 06/08/2023 13:20

Wow this moved on a lot since it started! What a rollercoaster (not the fun kind 😄).

For the smartarses who say you should apply before booking your holiday - what do you put in the US contact and address details then? Totally stupid and pointless fields given they’re valid for two years, but you DO need to fill them in.

I am sure we didn't put in any because they are optional.

We did ours last year for this years holiday and at the time we didn't have any hotels booked.

If I remember correctly you do have to do an additional advanced passenger information prior to flying with airline where you DO have to give the first nights address but that it at checkin time.

SapphireSeptember · 06/08/2023 13:29

Just reading that made me stressed, glad everything went through and you can go on holiday! Have a fantastic time OP!

JudgeJ · 06/08/2023 13:24

Dixiechickonhols · 06/08/2023 13:06

Enjoy your hols. I’m sure it’s given a good few people a reminder.
Another one that catches people is you can’t use ESTA if you’ve been to cuba on a package holiday in past you need full visa.

Is the Cuba restriction still in place, I thought the US had eased rules regarding Cuba?

JudgeJ · 06/08/2023 13:22

Jellycat43 · 06/08/2023 12:10

Woohoo so chuffed for you - have the best time and a large gin once onboard. We go in Sept so any tips for a 1 year old ESTA application would be appreciated - a 5 second video is nigh on impossible!!!

As long as you haven't had new passports then they're valid for 2 years. We once had a scare at our local airport when they took our passports away to check the ESTA status and seemed to be away for ages!

DontCallMeBaby · 06/08/2023 13:20

Wow this moved on a lot since it started! What a rollercoaster (not the fun kind 😄).

For the smartarses who say you should apply before booking your holiday - what do you put in the US contact and address details then? Totally stupid and pointless fields given they’re valid for two years, but you DO need to fill them in.

JudgeJ · 06/08/2023 13:20

bumblefeline · 06/08/2023 12:09

Yay OP have a fab time. The ESTA thing always worries me.

I wonder how many readers have been reminded about ESTAs, especially if you've had a new passport since your last one, my OH a few years ago was almost caught out like that, he was adament it would transfer to his new passport, luckily he saw things my way and applied again!

Alargeoneplease89 · 06/08/2023 13:17

Enjoy your holiday!!!

Dixiechickonhols · 06/08/2023 13:07

DD’s friends mum did theirs on coach to airport you aren’t only one!

Dixiechickonhols · 06/08/2023 13:06

Enjoy your hols. I’m sure it’s given a good few people a reminder.
Another one that catches people is you can’t use ESTA if you’ve been to cuba on a package holiday in past you need full visa.

AppleKatie · 06/08/2023 13:00

#phew! Enjoy your holiday OP.

LovePoppy · 06/08/2023 12:56

Acourtof · 06/08/2023 11:53

Approved approve approved

I’m so happy for you!!!!! I hope you have the most magical trip!! Disney is my happy place

BiteyShark · 06/08/2023 12:56

Wonderful news. Have a good holiday 😁

PuffyShirt · 06/08/2023 12:52

So relieved! That was a stressful read.

Curtains70 · 06/08/2023 12:48

Yey!!! So happy for you. Large drink for you at the airport. Have the most amazing holiday!

shockthemonkey · 06/08/2023 12:43

So relieved for you, OP.

I read this with my heart in my mouth. I could only have said what many others had, that mine came through in less than 12 hours. You didn't need to hear that a hundred times but I really felt for you.

Congratulations and enjoy the holiday! You'll be needing a nice massage on landing! Or a gin and tonic...

Silvers11 · 06/08/2023 12:42

So pleased for you @Acourtof . Understand the absolute relief you must be feeling. What time is your flight? Hope you have a great time

BigDaddio · 06/08/2023 12:42

just caught this thread now - I was heart in mouth scrolling through your messages - so can imagine how bad you felt. Glad it came through! Speaking as parents who had to leave dd2 behind for a holiday as realised 1 day before that passport was expired.... she had fun with grandparents but still a sore point...

Dibbydoos · 06/08/2023 12:42

I forgot realising as we checked in to board 🙄 I applied there and then. Caught a flight later that day. Unless you're a criminal it'll be through in time, don't panic 💕