How long for ESTA approval?

[Acourtof]

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 🙏

I think ours came through in a couple of hours last time.

About four hours, IIRC, on a Sunday.

I did mine just 8pm and came back 2:42 am and dc’s at 3:17am fingers crossed it as quick for you.

Always had ours within the hour (and I've done lots). I'd say you'll be ok fingers crossed.

Ours took less than 2 hours, a couple of weeks ago.

Last couple of mine have had ‘additional checks’ and still come through in a few hours. Fingers crossed!

I haven’t needed one for over a decade as I’m now a dual citizen but when my mum recently applied it was minutes. My stepfather’s took a few hours.

Mine and DD's came in ten minutes a couple of weeks ago.

Do you need to show anything at the border with them?

Yes, a few hours a couple of weeks ago for all of us inc. DC. Hopefully you will be ok.

No it’s all electronic so you don’t need any paperwork.

Thank you!

It’s been 4 hours since we applied online. Still showing “authorisation pending”.

It’s our long planned, much anticipated trip to Disney. So upset with myself for not thinking about this sooner 😭 Our insurance isn’t going to cover our stupidity…

All packed and now just hoping 🤞

Done it loads of times, never more than 12 hours

I think about 1 hour. My friend who I was travelling with applied on the same day and it took about 12 hours.

Our last ones took about 6 hours to come through! Keeping everything crossed for you OP

I did ours - 2 adults and 2 children- yesterday afternoon. At 7pm we had received them. It is our first time going. You shall be ok.

Check your email - do you have the right number of confirmation emails for ESTAs?

I wonder if time of day impacts. I did ours almost midnight here - maybe the time difference impacted availability of processing.

It just depends. Last time it took about 12 hours for me but before it was a lot quicker. I’ve also did it at the airport before and got it instantly.

About 2 hours when I did ours last year.

They used to always come almost instantaneously but the last couple of times I've waited 3-4 hours. Hopefully they'll change to approved imminently, enjoy your holiday! 🤞

When I did ours it was about an hour for mine then the other trickled in we had all four of them within four hours

Did ours recently - they came through after a couple of hours - they all came in at different times

What a nightmare
crossing fingers for you that it’s either sorted already or will be very soon

Fingers crossed! Ours have never taken more than about 12 hours. You can’t travel without it but explain to the airline and they can bump you to another flight… it does happen.

2 hours. Submitted application in late May.