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AIBU?

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Original poster

How long for ESTA approval?

432 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
FlibbertyGibbitt · 06/08/2023 09:14

My ex took my youngest to New York for a few days, I’d taken youngest to Florida so he had his ESTA. Ex hadn’t done anything and had to apply at the airport, it came through pretty much straight away.

Hoping it’s in its way for you all Op.

notol · 06/08/2023 09:15

Oh I'm crossing my fingers for you OP

AllAboardTootToot · 06/08/2023 09:16

Did you do a group application or individual? I find group take much longer!

personally I would apply again individually, what do you have to lose at this point?

Cigarettesandbooze · 06/08/2023 09:17

Saying a prayer for you x

Lamelie · 06/08/2023 09:18

Everything crossed for you. Just keep breathing, head off for the airport. It’ll come en route.

Simbaiamyourfather · 06/08/2023 09:18

Go to the airport and try and check in. Last time at no point did anyone actually ask to see ours just asked if we had them. But hopefully by the time you get to check in they would have come through 🤞

Changingplace · 06/08/2023 09:19

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’ve never had to show Estas when checking in, been to the US three times - last time was in June this year flying with BA and nobody asked to see them when we checked in, I’ve only been asked going through passport control the other side.

I would still go to the airport, they could coke through any time, fingers crossed for you.

Changingplace · 06/08/2023 09:20

Simbaiamyourfather · 06/08/2023 09:18

Go to the airport and try and check in. Last time at no point did anyone actually ask to see ours just asked if we had them. But hopefully by the time you get to check in they would have come through 🤞

Same, I’ve never been asked when checking in.

Azandme · 06/08/2023 09:20

You still have time.

Fingers crossed for you!

Amby1 · 06/08/2023 09:21

Praying it comes through for you! What a nightmare. I imagine you must be beating yourself up over this, but you're only human - you won't be the first and definitely won't be the last to have done this.

TropicalTrama · 06/08/2023 09:23

You don’t have to physically show anything but it’s linked to your passport and you can’t check in without it. You don’t need the full 2 hours though. Bag drop/check in closes usually 45 minutes before then you can sprint through security. So fingers crossed!

limons · 06/08/2023 09:23

An airline won't know if you have had approval (unless it flags in your passport on our systems but I'm pretty sure it doesn't, it's American data), although I can understand them advising not checking in until you have one, it would reflect badly on them knowingly flying you without one. But I think you technically have right up to the moment you land and go to the immigration officer, when they scan your passport is when they will know if you have an ESTA or not.

SainteCroissante · 06/08/2023 09:23

Best of luck to you and your family OP!
All fingers crossed here that they come through juuuuuust in time!✈

Poppyblush · 06/08/2023 09:24

We had to show proof of Estas at airport recently. But there is time! First world problem but thinking of you.

BiteyShark · 06/08/2023 09:24

Mine came through in 90 minutes. I know as I kept both emails and just went back to look at the date/times.

This was last year.

Fingers crossed as it could come through at any moment.

limons · 06/08/2023 09:25

Go to the airport and try and check in.

Most check ins can be done remotely digitally now

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 06/08/2023 09:26

Acourtof · 06/08/2023 09:10

@DaisyAndDonaldDuck are you kidding me???! Stop freaking preaching.

For your pernickety self I shall change that to “DIDN’T APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME”. Happy?

I’m not preaching. Really it’s a helpful comment for others, not you, because this is exactly why it’s important to sort your ESTAs before you even book your holiday.

aeaeae · 06/08/2023 09:28

Fingers crossed for you. I would travel to the airport but would warn the kids that there’s a possibility that you might not be able to fly today. I’d also be tempted to reapply individually if you haven’t had them shortly before the time you need to leave. It’s such bad luck for them to be taking this long as you keep hearing stories of them coming through within a few hours.

notimagain · 06/08/2023 09:28

TropicalTrama · 06/08/2023 09:23

You don’t have to physically show anything but it’s linked to your passport and you can’t check in without it. You don’t need the full 2 hours though. Bag drop/check in closes usually 45 minutes before then you can sprint through security. So fingers crossed!

^

This..

No, you don’t get asked to produce magic “ ESTA paperwork” at check in but when the airline staff do the passport check (and one will be done, either at check in desk, bag drop and/or at the jetty head) the possession of an ESTA, or not, is flagged up because the airline has a link to the relevant parts of the US system.

Aposterhasnoname · 06/08/2023 09:32

Oh, fingers crossed for you OP, that’s awful. I hope it comes through in time.

Gilmorehill · 06/08/2023 09:34

Fingers crossed for you.

Choux · 06/08/2023 09:35

I would do a second set of applications. Individually this time.

Hopefully all will come through but If even some of them then come through then you have the option of some family members being able to travel and the additional cost of new flights to get you all there reduces.

notimagain · 06/08/2023 09:35

limons · 06/08/2023 09:23

An airline won't know if you have had approval (unless it flags in your passport on our systems but I'm pretty sure it doesn't, it's American data), although I can understand them advising not checking in until you have one, it would reflect badly on them knowingly flying you without one. But I think you technically have right up to the moment you land and go to the immigration officer, when they scan your passport is when they will know if you have an ESTA or not.

I’m not sure whose system you are thinking off but I know where I worked there was a link to the US system.

We used to operate literally dozens of UK> US flights a day and the fines to the airline for non compliance plus the consequences (repatriating pax) if there had been widespread non-compliance was such that that an ESTA compliance was always verified pre-boarding.

dizzygirl1 · 06/08/2023 09:38

TropicalTrama · 06/08/2023 09:23

You don’t have to physically show anything but it’s linked to your passport and you can’t check in without it. You don’t need the full 2 hours though. Bag drop/check in closes usually 45 minutes before then you can sprint through security. So fingers crossed!

Exactly! The whole point is its electronic and linked to passport hence when people have new passports they need a new one and there are a lot of posts saying 'f**k had to do an ESTA as I didn't realise it was linked to my old one'

The misinformation on this thread is awful (not you OP and my fingers are crossed) and for any first timers so confusing.
Ideally buy ESTA before flight, just in case of any random issues. But if not apply ASAP. There are plenty of 'I've never had an issue before, I waited so I could get the most of my £14, but now I can't fly as its been declined' posts too.

Please anyone looking at going yo the US please look at their government site and read the info, DO NOT go third party and generally take travel agents advice with a pinch of salt as I've seen awful from them too.

Good luck op. Log out completely, clear cookies etc and log in using passport numbers directly and see if it changes. I'd also go to the airport as they might still arrive. 🤞

ThePuma · 06/08/2023 09:39

I believe that you don’t have to pay taxes if you don’t fly.

I have been told many incorrect things by BA call-handlers in the past. I would call again and try speaking to somebody else.