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 🙏

Everything crossed OP 🤞🏽

Praying to the Esta gods for you!

I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago, I didn’t realise I needed a visa, and the flights only mentioned it a few days before. Looks like yours will all get sorted, mine took less than 24hrs. Fingers crossed for you.

You can leave the 5yo home alone, right?!
Fingers crossed for you!

Yes at what age will BA take unaccompanied minors? Am sure someone on the thread can take care of the 5 yr old and deliver him or her to the airport when his ESTA gets sorted

It's totally mad to me that holiday companies allow people to forget. Why isn't there a constant reminder in emails about the holiday? A text message a 2 weeks/a week before saying DON'T FORGET. I know it's the individual's responsibility to do it, but allowing people to get to the day of their holiday having forgotten to do it, after spending thousands on the holiday... not great customer service.

Everything crossed so so so tightly for you, OP!!

Just wait till ETIAS - the Schengen version - comes in. So many people will be caught out by the new requirement.

Fingers and toes cross for you x

Just read this and your updates and crossed everything I possess for you OP! Fingers, toes, legs, eyes...
Seriously I can feel your stress and I really feel for you. Hope hope hope...

Fingers crossed for you, OP! What an absolute nightmare!

Used my 11:11 wish for you. Have the best time!!

Personal responsibility plus it’s pretty clear when booking!

Praying to the ESTA gods for you. I’m sure it will come through shortly ❤️

OP - just in case you are still waiting for the last one...the 4th post on this thread says there can be a delay between adults and children's ESTAs coming through: 'I did mine just 8pm and came back 2:42 am and dc’s at 3:17am fingers crossed it as quick for you.'

That's 35 minutes delay on the DCs. Hopefully the last one is through already but if not it doesn't mean it won't come through in time.

That was in reply to earlier poster.

Is that a daily thing you do? Not heard of that before.

Still pending for little one. DH has said have a cuppa, check in 30 mins. I need another shower, as I’m just sweating 🤦🏼‍♀️

Do you need to have it before check-in i.e do BA check in check? Or do you just need it by the time you go through US border controls?

I've never been so pleased to see an update. I'm sure your 5yo will be with you in a few mins!

Have a lovely time

You can click on "see all" and look at just Op's posts. She's explained already.

He's right.

If 5 year olds doesn’t come through in time can you or DH go with 7 year old today and remaining parent follow on cheap flights with 5 year old as soon as it’s through? Then you’re only paying for 2 new flights not new flights? Got my fingers crossed for you!

Yep..pretty much item one in the T&Cs..

I get that some might find a text reminder about documentation with regards to a holiday booking handy but a text reminder for every booked flight really wouldn't work for some (the ones the environmentalists hate) and I suspect would become so routine they'd get ignored..

Checking in for the good news about the little one.