Help Visa Waiver for USA

stilldazed · 2023-12-31T12:31:31+00:00

Help!!!! Travelling to New York 2nd January trip of a life time etc. I didn't know I needed an ESTA visa waiver...will I do it in time? with the bank holiday does anyone have any experience? not an AIBU but I'm panicking and need help!

DonnaBanana · 31/12/2023 12:33

Do it ASAP. It’s a work day coming up in the USA. Usually it’s done within hours

Ponoka7 · 31/12/2023 12:36

I agree, do it now, it should come through before you fly. What time is your flight? Although it's a bank holiday, travel services etc are still working.

Itsbeginningtolookalotlike · 31/12/2023 12:36

Ours came back in less than an hour. Just get it done and fingers crossed.

ApolloandDaphne · 31/12/2023 12:36

They normally come through quickly. Just do it now.

DNAwrangler · 31/12/2023 12:36

Mine was done in minutes, some take a few days. No one can tell you which. The sooner you do it, the better your chances!

Itslegitimatesalvage · 31/12/2023 12:37

Unless there is any issue or it gets picked up for some random check, it’s usually really fast, like a couple hours. They don’t take me a year as seriously and it’s a work day. All you can do is fill it in and hope (and always check visa requirement at the time of booking any trip!!)

Mrsjayy · 31/12/2023 12:37

do it now pay by CC or paypal see what happens but the sooner you do it the better you have to apply 72 hours before travel.

Scalottia · 31/12/2023 12:38

How on earth do people not know this? Don't you research when you book international travel?

Anyway, they usually don't take too long OP, just do it now.

NashvilleQueen · 31/12/2023 12:39

My friend forgot and did it at the check in desk at the airport and it came through in time. Just submit it. Heads up that you need your full social media profile addresses now (used to be voluntary) so it takes a bit longer.

Mrsjayy · 31/12/2023 12:39

i mean ours came within a few hours last time we applied.

backaftera2yearbreak · 31/12/2023 12:40

mine came back in less then an hour.

Yesididntdothat · 31/12/2023 12:42

NashvilleQueen · 31/12/2023 12:39

My friend forgot and did it at the check in desk at the airport and it came through in time. Just submit it. Heads up that you need your full social media profile addresses now (used to be voluntary) so it takes a bit longer.

What? I went in the summer and didn't enter anything like that. Maybe I ticked a box saying I didn't have any. No chance I would pass that on.

Itslegitimatesalvage · 31/12/2023 12:42

NashvilleQueen · 31/12/2023 12:39

My friend forgot and did it at the check in desk at the airport and it came through in time. Just submit it. Heads up that you need your full social media profile addresses now (used to be voluntary) so it takes a bit longer.

What if you don’t have social Media? I don’t have social media but I’m only in my thirties, what if they didn’t believe me! I’m sure they’d believe it if I was 90.

Mrsjayy · 31/12/2023 12:44

I think i just ticked facebook i dont have anything else DH doesnt have any SM he ticked NA.

eurochick · 31/12/2023 12:45

It was still voluntary a few weeks ago when I did mine. Has it changed very recently?

Heyhoherewegoagain · 31/12/2023 12:46

Do it now. Mine came back within a couple of hours

HundredMilesAnHour · 31/12/2023 12:50

NashvilleQueen · 31/12/2023 12:39

My friend forgot and did it at the check in desk at the airport and it came through in time. Just submit it. Heads up that you need your full social media profile addresses now (used to be voluntary) so it takes a bit longer.

It's still voluntary. Unless they've changed it in the last week since I did mine (and didn't need to include social media details if I chose not to).

anothernamechangeagainsndagain · 31/12/2023 12:50

Mine took about 20 minutes to come through, dos took a few hours. Fingers crossed for you

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 31/12/2023 12:51

NashvilleQueen · 31/12/2023 12:39

My friend forgot and did it at the check in desk at the airport and it came through in time. Just submit it. Heads up that you need your full social media profile addresses now (used to be voluntary) so it takes a bit longer.

Was voluntary when I did mine 4 days ago.

LangMayYerLumReek2024 · 31/12/2023 12:54

Stop panicking and boot up the internet and get it done.

It's an automated system so you should be fine.

esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Travelismything · 31/12/2023 13:08

Apply now - it should be fine but there’s nothing you can do to speed it up in any event. Just do it calmly and get someone else to double check it as errors may delay it.

HundredMilesAnHour · 31/12/2023 13:17

Quickest way to apply is via the ESTA app - the app is easier to use as you now need to upload a photo of your passport AND a recent photo of yourself. The application takes about 15 mins.

Hopefully the OP is already applying and that's why she isn't responding to the thread.

Original poster

stilldazed · 31/12/2023 14:45

thanks everyone...I love mumsnet for times like these.

I have just applied, pending authorization...fingers crossed!

OP posts:

Ohnotyoutoo · 31/12/2023 14:46

I'm sure you'll be fine. Have fun in NY!