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 🙏

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!!!

I'm so relieved for you! Brilliant outcome!

One day this will make a funny story.

Have a brilliant holiday!

Oh thank God! Sooo pleased for you!

Have a fab time!

and a very large gin as soon as you get on the plane!

They changed the system a couple of years ago or so. Used to be almost instantly approved, but now it takes a few hours and sometimes days.

We go next weekend and saw this thread - had a mild panic and couldn't remember when it ran out, luckily another few months away.

5 second video? We got ours in March. No videos involved.

So glad you got them sorted!

My DH had a similar drama - he forgot about it until the day before our flight. Fortunately it came through in 4 hours but it was definitely a tense afternoon.

Best thread ever. Have a fantastic time OP.

Omg. Have a fabulous holiday 🍾🎉✈️🧳💺🗺️

Fantastic news OP, enjoy your (now incredibly well deserved) holiday!! 🥳🥳

I could barely breathe scrolling through this thread 🤣
Happy holidays!!

@Jellycat43 it took me so many attempts to get the live photo done for my 5 year old. Maybe that’s why it took longer to get approved, as it may have flagged the 20+ (not exaggerating) attempts!! Basically they can’t move at all, can’t smile and need to stare directly at the camera. Good luck!! And apply with plenty of time 😆

My heart was in my mouth reading that. I did the same flying for a major work conference - and it came through at the airport. I thought my heart couldn't take the strain.

So pleased for you all. Don't beat yourself up and have a brilliant holiday.

Let us all not forget that from next year, the European Union ETIAS scheme will require UK nationals to have similar pre-entry authorisation to trvel to the Schengen zone.

"Starting from 2024, visitors from countries which do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area will have to obtain a quick electronic entry authorization before they can travel to an EU or Schengen country.
This electronic entry authorization is known as ETIAS and can be quickly obtained online in a matter of minutes. It is not a visa requirement."

You Have Been Warned!

Who Needs ETIAS?
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/who-needs-etias/

Oh, just read through updates and my heart was in my mouth!
Have a lovely holiday 😁

Great news op. I've never been so invested! Have a great holiday.

So so so happy for you @Acourtof ! Time for a cup of tea I think, then a nice big glass of something when you're on the plane!

Crikey!

Also has it been confirmed that if one of your familys passport is renewed during the 2 years your ESTA is valid for that invalidates it and you have to get a new one?

Yes, that’s definitely the case. From the website:

“Yes, a new travel authorization via ESTA is required when: (1) the traveler is issued a new passport; (2) the traveler changes his or her name; (3) the traveler changes his or her gender; (4) the traveler’s country of citizenship changes; or (5) the circumstances underlying the traveler’s previous responses to any of the ESTA application questions requiring a “yes” or “no” response have changed.”

Please do it ASAP! If you have the passports you'll be travelling on, do it today to allow time for a visa in case of any issues. Visa appointments are usually booked months up.

Such a helpful response
Feel better after that?!

Bloody hell, I was stressed reading all that. Op that sounds so unbelievably stressful! I’m so glad they all came through. Large glass of wine at the airport and have an amazing holiday!!!

@QuinionsRainbow thank you for posting that, it had passed me by.
OP have a lovely holiday and a big gin on the plane. 😀

Yay!! Have an amazing holiday!!

I’m really pleased for you all, I hope you have an amazing holiday!

Thank goodness Have a brilliant time- what you do now is crack open a bottle of wine!