US Visa - how long does it normally take

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Hi
I am planning to fly to NZ and wondered how long it normally takes to get a US Visa as we fly to LA & catch our connecting flight to NZ a few hours later so won’t be leaving LA airport. Anyone know? Many thanks.

It depends if you need a full visa and which type and crucially your passport origin. If it’s an ESTA you need in the past we’ve received ours within hours (British passport). If you need a more long term visa it’s likely to take longer - transit visas shouldn’t be too difficult

Yes I think it is an ESTA we need as we are British Passport holders and will only be in the US airports for our connecting flights. Thank you that is very helpful, I was confused as don’t travel much at all.

Use only the official US government website to apply for such visas; there are plenty of scammers out there willing to take your money for a service that only costs US $14 per application.

The US government website is esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

My DH claims he once renewed his ESTA in the check-in queue for his flight, however I would allow a few days to be on the safe side!

ESTA normally comes through within a few minutes, but it can take longer - for example if you have a similar name to someone on their watchlists, or there is something unusual with your application.

The official advice is to apply at least 72 hours in advance of travel

I did my daughters as we were checking in our luggage a couple of years ago as didn’t realise it was passport specific and needed to be renewed with a new passport. It came through immediately but I wouldn’t recommend waiting until you are that close to leavong

Unless I am reading this wrong you wont need a visa as you aren’t leaving the airport.

Shut your face Murphy. Seems you do. Apologies.

You do need an ESTA to transit in the US.

Give yourself at least a few days, though I have travelled with a scatty student group, two of whom, despite reminders, hadn't applied for an ESTA in advance (excuse in one case: 'Oh, I thought the website looked too hard!') and realised once we were at Heathrow. It had come through in the time between check-in and security, but don't do it to yourself.