Are you planning to travel to the USA and have ordered ESTA authorization, but don’t know how to check the status of your application online? It’s easy to do: just a few clicks and you’ll receive the final decision on your ESTA application. Find out how now.
When should you check the response to your ESTA application?
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The ESTA file is transmitted to the U.S. authorities once the traveler has paid the processing fee. Once payment has been accepted, you will receive your ESTA identifier, which is your application number. This number is important, as it enables you to access your file online and check the status of your request.
The ESTA application is analyzed by the electronic systems of the US Customs and Border Protection. In many cases, the file is examined within minutes of submission, and if there are no suspicious elements, the request results in ESTA approval. However, the U.S. authorities do not inform you directly of the decision, so it’s up to you to check manually.
Please note that in all cases, whether approved or declined, a final decision is made within 72 hours of your online request.
How can I find out the decision on my ESTA application?
To find out the status of your ESTA application, you first need your file number, as mentioned above. Once you have this number, all you have to do is go to the official U.S. government website and click on the link “Check existing application”, then “Check individual status”. The last step is to enter your ESTA application number, your date of birth and your electronic or biometric passport number, then click on “retrieve application”. If these three elements are correct, you can access your file online.
What if you don’t know your application number?
If you can’t find your ESTA number, there is another alternative. To do so, visit the U.S. government website and click on : “I don’t know the application number”. Instead of your passport number, you’ll need to fill in a few additional details, such as your country of citizenship, the date your passport was issued and its expiry date. If you have all this information, access to your online space should not be a problem.
Possible responses to an ESTA application
Once you have accessed your file, you can check the status of your ESTA application. At this stage, there are three possible scenarios.
No specific answer: ESTA application pending
Occasionally, some ESTA files find themselves on hold. As you can imagine, this ESTA status means that you have to wait a little longer. In no case does it mean that your ESTA admission is in doubt, as this hold may be the result of a massive influx of applications or a more thorough check of your ESTA file. In all cases, the wait will be relatively short, with a final response within a maximum of 72 hours.
Positive response: ESTA application approved
An agreement to travel to the USA without a visa is the most common answer. If you have this status, you are officially authorized to travel to the USA via the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA document is valid for 24 months, which means you are authorized to travel to the USA as many times as you like during this period. However, the validity of your temporary residence permit is conditional on your biometric or electronic passport. Indeed, to travel under the U.S. visa waiver, customs authorities require a valid passport. In concrete terms, if your passport expires during the ESTA validity period, your authorization to stay in the USA will no longer be valid. You’ll need to apply for a new passport at your local town hall, and then submit a new application using your new passport.
Not all stays in the USA are covered by ESTA. Under the VWP, tourist stays and business trips of up to 90 days by air or sea are possible. The ESTA is also required for transit on American soil. Any stay motivated by the desire to work, study or do an internship in the USA is not taken into account.
Negative response: ESTA application refused
A rejected ESTA application may be the result of non-compliance with VWP eligibility requirements. This may be the case if:
- your country of origin is not a VWP member;
- you have traveled to one of the Muslim Ban countries (Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen) since March 1, 2011;
- you are a carrier of a dangerous transmissible disease;
- etc.
An ESTA refusal does not necessarily mean an outright refusal to enter the USA. We suggest that you contact the consular authorities or the American embassy to apply for a USA visa.
You should also be aware that an unapproved ESTA authorization may be due to a simple error made when filling in the ESTA form. If this is the case, you’ll have to fill in the form again online, and pay the ESTA fee once again.