ESTA Issue?

[Hope58]

Going to NYC in a couple of months and DS has entered his mothers name but not his fathers on the ESTA. Will this be an issue, would it be safer to resubmit? My instinct would be to reapply as I’m sure border control are stricter than ever. Not sure why I’m asking really, just thought maybe someone might have some recent experience. Thanks!

I wouldn’t worry about it. Border control assume you have a valid ESTA otherwise you wouldn’t have made it this far and are more interested in what you’re doing in the States and how long you’re intending to stay However, if it’s going to stop you from looking forward to your holiday then by all means resubmit.

Has it been approved? In which case, no need to worry.

If it's been approved then it's approved?

Thanks for your reassurances, I’m not sure I can leave it as he also didn’t put his social media details on, he said he didn’t have a presence, but he does have Instagram, just doesn’t use it much. I know it’s probably a bit over cautious but would hate him to get interrogated. I think another £30 is worth it for peace of mind.

If it’s approved you really don’t need to worry, once approved nothing else happens, he’s done enough to pass. The social media stuff isn’t a compulsory question (yet).

ESTAs are viable for 2 years, lots happens in that time, you could become an influencer, doesn’t matter if you previously said no social media! (Though I wouldn’t risk bad mouthing them lol)

When did he apply?

I’m not sure you can apply for another one if you have one that’s already been approved and isn’t expired?

Why do you need social media stuff? That's only optional at this point.

Did you look at the form properly at all? Hope you filled your own out correctly and the details when you buy your ticket.

Why does everyone assume they will have difficulties and scrutiny?

Apparently you can, it will override the existing one. I looked it up.

Because it’s the USA border control.

yeah? I assume you're just ordinary people like me. You are worrying too much. My partner is American and I went twice recently. You will be fine.

It’s optional, the stuff in the headlines a few months ago hasn’t come into force.

It’s more the parent information I’m concerned about, he didn’t put fathers details in.

I don't understand how people who have actually FILLED IN THE FORMS, don't know this!

@Hope58but it was approved, if it was an issue it wouldn’t have been approved. Think how many people don’t know their parent’s details.

It will be fine. Plenty don’t put their father’s details in. The social media thing is optional.

True. Ok maybe I can chill about it then.

Ordinary people are being caught out. And if you think that having an American partner will protect you, google Katie Paul. Different situations to that posted, but food for thought all the same.

Retired UK grandmother shackled, stripped of luggage and held 42 days by ICE sounds alarm ahead of 2026 World Cup

FFS - this is the very definition of worrying about nothing! If you've money to burn then knock yourself out and apply again. If a question is optional then you do not have to answer it.

Personally I'm a bit sad they no longer ask whether you wish to enter the US to commit an act of moral turpitude.

Protect me from what? How many people are going to America every day? How many run into issues? The link you gave says the husband's visa had run out and wasn't valid for his return to America from Canada. How don't you check on this stuff before going? Although what that has to do with his wife is something else. There are definitely issues, I am not denying that but in each of these stories is always a case of something very simple being ignored like having a valid ESTA! People thinking the rules don't apply to them or just being ignorant.

@Needtosoundoffandbreathe yeesh calm down she has literally already said she will chill out about it!

You can. It’s not necessary in this case though, it’s already been approved.

Stop worrying, OP. Everything is fine. The social media stuff is not an issue.

I would reapply because I know someone whose ESTA was withdrawn 24 hours before flying,

Do you know why?