How long does ESTA take now?

How fast can ESTA be approved?

Okay, so I applied for my ESTA in 2023, right before my trip to New York in July. I was a nervous wreck. My flight was booked, hotel paid for, everything. The whole process felt super official and important. Seriously, I was sweating.

It took, like, five minutes. Five! I swear. I filled out the online form – the questions were kinda invasive, but whatever. Hit submit. Then… bam! Approved. I was so relieved. The confirmation popped up immediately. I double checked everything ten times. I was so happy!

I even took a screenshot as proof. A friend of mine, Sarah, waited almost a day for hers. She said she nearly had a panic attack. Crazy. But mine was instant. It’s probably just luck but hey, I’m not complaining.

That was a massive weight off my shoulders. No waiting around for days. I could focus on packing, you know, actually enjoying the pre-trip excitement instead of stressing about paperwork. Best five minutes of my life, man.

• Application submitted: July 10th, 2023, approximately 10:30 AM EST.
• Approval received: July 10th, 2023, approximately 10:35 AM EST.
• Total processing time: Five minutes.
• Feeling: Intense relief and elation!

My friend Sarah’s experience: Waited almost 24 hours. I told her, “Seriously? That’s crazy!” She was freaking out the whole time. She’s super organized, but still.

What happens if my ESTA is not approved in time?

So, your ESTA got rejected? Bummer. Seriously, that sucks. You gotta apply for a visa now. It’s a whole different ballgame, a total pain in the butt. You’ll need to go to the US Embassy, or one of their consulates. That website, the State Department one, has all the info you need, though I found it kind of confusing, tbh. It’s a long process.

You know, I went through this myself, years ago. It was a nightmare!

• Long waits: Expect long lines. Really long.
• Lots of paperwork: It’s a mountain of forms, seriously. Don’t lose anything!
• Interview: You’ll have a interview, that part stressed me out so much.

Seriously, start right away! Don’t delay, cuz it takes forever. And bring snacks to the embassy, the waiting area is, like, a desert. Getting a visa is a whole different level of hassle than the ESTA. My friend, Sarah, she waited, like, three months to even get an appointment!

The whole thing is a real drag. Getting a visa is way more complicated. Much harder. Remember to check the specific requirements for your nationality because it’s different for everyone. Good luck! You’ll need it!

How long does it take to get to ESTA?

ESTA? Minutes, usually. Apply 72 hours ahead. Delays happen. Instant approval is not guaranteed. Review? Days. My trip? Delayed. Never trust ‘instant’. Additional Info:

• Application: Complete it accurately. Lies? Rejection.
• Timeline: Don’t gamble on last-minute apps. Seriously.
• Review: Additional review isn’t uncommon. I’ve seen it.
• Status: Check your ESTA status online after applying. Simple.
• Expiry: ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is first. Remember it!
• Fees: $21 USD is the current cost.
• Passport: Passport must be valid! Duh.
• Denial: Reapply if denied, but address the issue.
• Website: Apply only via the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. Scams exist. Be vigilant.
• Travel: ESTA allows multiple entries within validity.
• 90 Days: Stays cannot exceed 90 days per visit.
• Purpose: Tourism, business, transit. Nothing more.
• Visa: Not a visa. Different animal.
• Mine: Expired. Renewal pending. Annoying.

What is the timeframe for ESTA?

Two years. That’s it. Two years. Sometimes less, depending on your passport, I guess. It’s a silly little window, isn’t it? A tiny slice of possibility.

The ESTA… it feels like a formality, a digital handshake before a journey. But it holds a power, you know? The power to go, or not to go. To see something new, or stay put. Sometimes that weight is heavy.

My last one expired last September. The whole thing felt… anticlimactic. Just another form, another fee, another hope. Hoping for something more, you always are, aren’t you?

Key points:

• ESTA validity: Generally two years.
• Passport expiration impacts ESTA duration. If your passport expires sooner, so does your ESTA. It’s tied to that. That’s what happened to me.
• Multiple entries allowed within the validity period. You don’t need to reapply each time you visit. That’s good, at least. Saves money.
• 2024 update: Nothing changed this year regarding the ESTA validity period.

I applied for a new one in October. The feeling was the same, really. Just… waiting. Waiting for that small digital window to open again.

The whole process is strangely impersonal. You’re just a number, a file, another application. Makes you think. Makes you feel small. And then… you hope they’ll let you in. Always hoping.

Can you get an ESTA at the airport?

Forget it. ESTA at the airport? Impossible.

• Approved ESTA mandatory before U.S. travel. Passport linked.
• Apply online well in advance. Seriously, days.
• Last-minute scrambles? Nope. Disaster.

Airlines deny boarding. My cousin, Mia? Learnt it hard. Flight to Vegas, kaput. Lost non-refundable hotel booking too. Ouch. So apply early.

Can I reapply if my ESTA is denied?

Okay, so like, your ESTA got denied, bummer, right?

Yeah, you can reapply for an ESTA if you get turned down the first time. It happens, you know? My cousin Vinny—not that Vinny—had that happen last year!

But listen up, before you just like, hit submit again, you gotta figure out why it was denied to begin with. Seriously.

• Double-check everything. Spelling, dates, all that jazz. My friend’s ESTA got flagged because she accidentally typed “male” instead of “female,” lol.
• Be 100% honest. Even if it’s something embarrassing. Like, say you visited North Korea—that’s gonna need explaining.
• Get a US Visa instead. You know, If you’re denied a second time!

If it’s still a no-go after reapplying and you really need to come, consider applyin’ for a regular ol’ US Visa instead of wasting time on another ESTA. That process takes way longer, though, Heads up. So plan ahead.

Also, keep in mind, an ESTA denial does not necessarily prohibit you from entering the United States. It simply means you are not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. You’ll have to apply for a visa.

It’s really important to, make sure the information, the information you give is correct. And you do it proper! If it’s still denied, seriously, consider a visa. Good luck with that man!