Do I need multiple ESTAs?

Ugh, the ESTA thing always stresses me out a little, doesn’t it? Do I need multiple ESTAs? That’s a great question, and one I’ve actually had to grapple with myself! I mean, I almost forgot I had my old passport, the one from before I got married and changed my name – nearly booked a trip and panicked at the last minute. So, the short answer is: no, you don’t need multiple ESTAs for the same passport. Phew! One and done, right?

But here’s the kicker, and this is where it gets a little tricky. If you’re like my cousin Sarah – bless her heart, she has dual citizenship with Canada and the UK, you’ll need a separate ESTA for each passport. Yeah, it’s a pain. Think of it like this: each ESTA is basically a digital visa, tied directly to that specific passport number and your personal information. So, if you use one passport to go to the US and then decide to visit again using another, you’ll need a separate authorization for each. It makes sense when you think about it – they need to track everything, keep things secure, you know?

So, basically, one ESTA per passport. Simple enough once you wrap your head around it, but I completely understand why it’s confusing! Don’t feel bad if you had to double-check – I did too! I’ve totally been there, staring at my passport collection like it’s some kind of puzzle. ????