What to know about the US ESTA 'visa' — when to get it, how to apply and how much it costs
If you’re traveling to the U.S. any time soon and you’re a citizen of the United Kingdom or Europe, it’s quite likely that you’ll need to apply for an ESTA before you visit.
Short for Electronic System for Travel Authorization, applying for an ESTA might seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. Don’t worry — we have you covered.
Below we break down everything you need to know about applying for an ESTA, from how much it will cost and approval times to when you should renew it and when you need to consider applying for one.
Related: What to know about the ETIAS 'visa' — when to get it, how to apply and how much it will cost
What is the ESTA 'visa'?
An ESTA is an automated part of the Visa Waiver Program that allows visitors from specific countries to visit the U.S. Visitors must be citizens of countries classed as part of the U.S. visa waiver list to be eligible for an ESTA application. Currently, 40 countries are included on the list, including the U.K. and much of Europe.
ESTA holders can visit the U.S. for a period of 90 days or less without the need to apply for a standard visa if their visit is either a vacation or a business trip.
ESTA was initially rolled out by the U.S. in 2008 to allow the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Borders Protection to use authorized databases to pre-screen visitors to the country. It also allows the easier identification of terrorists, criminals and banned flyers, and is designed to help prevent such people from entering the country. It can also help identify those who may be a risk for overstaying their visits.
Is an ESTA a visa?
No, an ESTA is not a traditional visa and instead is classed as a visa waiver. As such, the application process is much more straightforward than applying for a traditional visa, and eligible travelers can do so by filling out a short online application on ESTA's official website.
The form requires applicants to share basic personal information, travel history and other simple security questions. Applications are usually processed within 72 hours.
Who needs to apply for an ESTA?
You'll need to apply for an ESTA if you are a citizen of a country classed as part of the U.S. visa waiver program, which includes the U.K., Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, among others. You can view the full list of the 40 eligible countries on the DHS website.
If you are visiting the U.S. from one of these countries as part of a vacation or business trip that is set to last for 90 days or less — and you are arriving by either plane or cruise ship — you can apply for an ESTA.
If you already hold a visa for visiting the U.S., you do not need to also apply for an ESTA. Additionally, if you are only briefly stopping in the U.S. to catch a connecting flight or ship before moving on to your final destination, know that you will still be required to apply for an ESTA, regardless of how brief your stay is.
How much does an ESTA cost?
The ESTA application fee is $21; you can pay this fee online after filling out your application form. The fee was increased from $14 in May 2023, and its current pricing will remain in effect until September 2027.
Valid payment methods include:
- MasterCard
- Visa
- American Express
- Discover (JCB or Diners Club only)
- PayPal
Your application will not be submitted for approval until your payment has been received.
How do you apply for an ESTA?
You can only apply for an ESTA online. Find the official site here.
You will be asked to accept various terms and upload an image of your passport during your application. After uploading an image of your passport, you will also be asked to share your passport information, valid email address and other standard personal details, along with information regarding your upcoming and previous travel history.
If applicable, you may also be required to share details about your employment; aliases or other names; a national ID or personal ID number; your Global Entry, Nexus or Sentri ID number; and the name, addresses or phone number for any U.S. points of contact.
When do I need to apply for an ESTA?
Your ESTA application can be submitted at any time before you travel to the U.S. However, the DHS advises you to apply at least 72 hours before travel to allow time for processing ahead of departure.
How long does an ESTA application take to be approved?
In TPG’s experience, an ESTA application can often be approved on the same day you apply, though it can sometimes take up to 72 hours to be processed. We recommend applying at least a week or two before traveling to allow time for the application to be approved.
How long is an ESTA valid for, and will I need to apply for each trip to the US?
Once approved, your ESTA will be valid for two years from the date it was authorized or until the date your passport expires — depending on which comes first. You will not be required to apply for a new ESTA for each subsequent visit to the U.S. as long as any trips fall within the two-year validity period.
If you acquire a new passport or change your name, sex or citizenship after having your ESTA approved, you must submit a new application for approval.
How can I check my ESTA status?
If you have applied for an ESTA and want to check its status, you can do so by visiting the ESTA website and selecting “Check ESTA Status."
If you are checking your own application, click “Check Individual Status." You will then be asked to supply either your passport number, date of birth and application number or your country of citizenship and passport issue and expiration dates.
To check the status of a group application, click “Check Group Status.” From here, you will be asked to supply your group ID, family name, first (given) name, email and date of birth of your group's point of contact.
You will then be able to see the current status of your ESTA, which will fall into one of three categories:
- Authorization Approved — meaning your application was successful, and you are authorized to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program
- Travel Not Authorized — meaning your application was unsuccessful, and you’re not authorized to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program
- Authorization Pending — Your travel authorization is still under review and should usually be determined within 72 hours
Note that while in most cases you will be fine entering the U.S. once your application is approved, having an ESTA alone does not guarantee admission. Your final entry will be at the discretion of the CBP officer at your destination.
Bottom line
If you are traveling to the U.S. from the U.K. or other countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before your departure if you are not already approved.
Your ESTA will cost $21 and will be valid for two years from its authorization date. If you already have an ESTA, it's wise to check its status before any trips to the U.S. to ensure it's still valid.
Related reading:
- What to know about the ETIAS 'visa' — when to get it, how to apply and how much it will cost
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or an expert traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- The 18 best places to travel in 2023
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.